Anonymous

There are times when anonymity is called for.

The signers of the Declaration of Independence kept their names secret initially for their own safety. Both the Federalist and the Antifederalist factions debating the ratification of the US Constitution used pseudonyms. Soviet dissidents - facing years of torture in Gulag camps if caught - wrote anonymously.

But Gottesblog is not that. This is a forum where we openly discuss - and yes sometimes vociferously debate - issues pertaining to the Church, her liturgy, the times in which we live and the conditions under which we serve.

A gentle reminder to someone who posted anonymously seems to have enraged a passive-aggressive response from this commenter with an ax to grind. He doubled down on his anonymity.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is not kindergarten. And you are not being persecuted. So be courageous and courteous enough to identify yourself in this forum. If you must wrote anonymously, do it in another forum. In fact, blogs are free, and you can write your own and implement your own rules.

Meanwhile, anonymous trolls will be escorted from the premises back to the bridge.