In the past few hours, Silere non possum has received several reports pointing to a growing annoyance among journalists — bothered by the fact that for two years now, they’ve been relentlessly called out, day and night, by those they don’t like.
Yes, because it’s not just a matter of differing views on the Church. We’re dealing with a veritable caste — and let’s not kid ourselves, here in the Vatican that caste is being fed generously. “Also because it’s how they make a living,” quipped one cardinal. Over the years we’ve witnessed pathetic scenes: female journalists sulking in the Press Office because someone else got the scoop before them. But now, some have begun to realize the good times are over. The era when they could say whatever they wanted — without anyone to contradict them — is finished.
We’re talking about those “professionals” who spent eight full years insulting, slandering, and discrediting Benedict XVI, and are now parading around as champions of obedience to Peter. The very same who accused the Pope who fought most fiercely against abuse of covering up for pedophile priests. The same ones who churn out clickbait headlines about how priests are clericalist, rich, aloof — priests this, priests that. The same ones who, today, are seated in dicasteries funded by our money — thanks to those very same priests they love to bash.
Among them: Andrea Tornielli — well known in the sacred halls for his “sudden changes of position.” Silere non possum has repeatedly highlighted the blunders he’s made during his time in the dicastery. We’ve also pointed out how he brought his “friends” into the sacred walls: Salvatore Cernuzio, for instance, was his loyal follower at La Stampa. The number of factual errors written by Cernuzio on Vatican News is too high to count — even if we tried. Just recently, they wrote that Paul VI met Tawadros II, who at the time hadn’t even been ordained.
Nothing new under the sun. The Dicastery for Communication drains absurd amounts of money from the Holy See every year to pay thousands of people who still haven’t figured out what their job actually is.
But let’s get back to the point: Silere non possum bothers the journalistic caste. A lot. And when this website highlights their incompetence, their ridiculous obsession with scoops, they never respond to the substance. Many — including priests and bishops — tell us how these “distinguished know-it-alls” criticize SNP, but never on the merits. We’re flooded with reports (and recordings) of Andrea Gagliarducci badmouthing us, perhaps because we revealed who his mentor is. Or maybe because we pointed out his many mistakes? Sorry, but Truth serves no master.
Tornielli’s Homophobia and His Clique’s
They criticize, but never on substance — because they wouldn’t know what to say. We’ve reached a point where people no longer believe their pre-packaged articles. Readers now look to serious sources that can back up their claims. They want documents — not the personal musings of mainstream journalists. Just think of when Pope Francis received guests but didn’t read his prepared speech. Tornielli and his friends would still publish articles on Vatican News saying: “The Pope said…” Why? Because the article had already been written, and at the scheduled hour they simply hit publish. They don’t have time to check whether he actually said it. They’re too busy scrolling Twitter looking for scoops — or following Silere non possum.
Yes, Silere is their morning nightmare. “In the Dicastery, they check Silere first thing in the morning, forget morning prayers,” jokes one insider. We’ve lost count of how many times Franca Giansoldati followed us, then unfollowed. And of journalists who copy and paste our scoops, but would rather cut off a finger than give us a retweet or citation. In a sea of mediocrity, the slightly less mediocre always stands out. Their behavior resembles that of children — which, judging by cognitive development, is about where we’re at. For them, a Twitter follow is like an ecclesiastical imprimatur — something only they, as laypeople, can grant.
Cernuzio and Tornielli sometimes accidentally drop a like while reading, but are quick to undo their sin — forgetting that in the magical world of the internet, everything remains. Nothing disappears.
So yes, it’s now confirmed: for them, likes and follows are badges of approval. Back to the news. Our readers have pointed out that “some repressed journalist” has started writing cryptic posts clearly referencing Silere. But what better form of envy and approval than parody? We’re thrilled.
Unfortunately, it’s not parody or constructive commentary — as we said, they can’t manage that — but rather homophobic insults. Obviously. And here’s where it gets interesting. Homophobic insults — which, by the way, are criminally punishable — say more about the insulter and their cheerleaders than about the target.
Remember those pieces in La Stampa by Tornielli and Cernuzio on seminaries and priests? They reveal the kind of “learning” that flows in these veins of pseudo-scholars. Everyone can enter seminaries now — even married men! — but gay men? Absolutely not! Heavens forbid!
And who’s following these homophobic, insulting accounts? Unsurprisingly, it’s the very people who felt exposed by our reporting. No one’s forgotten Giansoldati referring to “the magistrates of the Holy See.” Or when we went after “pseudo-blogs by psychosexually repressed nobodies” who took it upon themselves to expose the (of course!) sexual lives of priests working here. When they weren’t stealing our content, they were sewing together lies about others. Now that they can’t do that anymore: “We’re offended,” they cry. No one has forgotten our exposé about L’Osservatore di Strada — thousands spent printing unread papers that pile up at church entrances. Neither have they.
So what’s the result? The usual suspects start following — and thereby endorsing — accounts that post homophobic slurs about this site. Who are they?
Andrea TORNIELLI, Franca GIANSOLDATI, Silvina PEREZ, Salvatore CERNUZIO, Daniela SALA, Javier MARTINEZ-BROCAL, Giovanni TRIDENTE, Roberto CETERA, Betta GANDOLFI, and others…
No surprise there. Look at their affiliations: Vatican media, Il Regno, and all the orbiting satellites. Martinez Brocal is still sulking because we revealed his oh-so-“coincidental” presence at the record store when the Pope popped by. And then, remember our piece on Il Regno? The article in question was written by someone now working at another platform that talks endlessly about “inclusion” — yet hosts Amedeo Cencini, who thinks even “structurally homosexual” men can access the priesthood (after a nudge from Perfetti, he was likely spared suspension but got a slap on the wrist). A so-called psychologist who couldn’t handle criticism and failed to engage with scholars who argue that “structural homosexuality” is a made-up term. Invented by Cencini, never adopted by any reputable specialist.
The Sly Caste
As seen from their posts, the one they’re really attacking is Felipe Perfetti — because he’s the only one showing his face. People often ask why. Here’s the answer: these folks are steeped in latent homophobia. They advocate for women’s rights in the Church but heaven forbid a gay priest. Imagine if their bylines had faces attached. But this isn’t just about a Church that doesn’t judge homosexuals — it’s also about our revelations upsetting people in Santa Marta and beyond. Many of us could be expelled from this State in an instant. The Vatican Gendarmerie knows the game well.
Unlike them, we answer to no one. We don’t get paid per article. We don’t have anyone to please. We write what we believe. And if the only way they can respond to Silere non possum — which terrifies those who once sat comfortably — is with homophobic jabs and sneering jokes, so be it. That says everything about them — and nothing about us. Our work continues. There’s more to come.
Homophobia fuels their hatred of those — clerics and laypeople — who live their lives, affections, and sexuality in peace, showing the world that the Church isn’t what some want you to believe with poetry and theatrics.
The Defense of Rupnik
The account followed by Cernuzio and Tornielli also staunchly defends Marko Ivan Rupnik. Well, what a surprise — Via Paolina didn’t take it well when we exposed their dirty laundry. So now they claim we contradict ourselves: “You say you shouldn’t peek into priests’ underwear, but with Rupnik you did.”
Fine. Let’s grab some crayons and sketch this out for them. Abuse is not the same thing as homophobia. We get it — the Pope likes Rupnik because he proved he’s heterosexual. But that’s not the issue. The problem is the crime. We’re clearly dealing with individuals who have cognitive and behavioral issues — both those who write and those who follow. Knowing the difference matters. If a priest is homosexual, that’s his business. If he lives his sexuality privately, that’s also his business. But if he abuses someone — that becomes our business too.
We’re tired of the gossiping witches (yes, the word rattles them) who sew and whisper about what “this cardinal did” or “that priest said.” Most of the time, these are their own projections. We’re dealing with a level of repression that’s incalculable. “By the gallon,” as someone put it. Vice rectors at the Gregorian University who joke homophobically about Silere non possum — but won’t stop harassing young men on campus? Yes, we know about them too.
Yes, we do not judge homosexuals, and we firmly believe that everyone should mind their own life rather than insinuate and pry into the lives of others.
This is precisely why Silere non possum has always denounced the real problems of the Church: corruption, hypocrisy, false poverty, careerism, and so on — certainly not the private or sexual lives of priests. We leave that to the seamstresses. The practice of spreading private stories — often untrue or entirely fabricated — about clergy is one that must come to an end. And once again, we stress: this behavior reflects on those making such claims, not on those targeted by them. It means, as in today’s case, that these people have no other way to talk about you. And that says a lot.
La redazione di Silere non possum