New book slams EWTN - Father Trigilio takes on book's author, Christopher Ferrara

Renew America ^ | March 7, 2006 | Matt C. Abbott

[NYer]

Matt C. Abbott is a Catholic journalist and commentator. He is a columnist for and/or contributor to RenewAmerica.us, TheConservativeVoice.com, MichNews.com, Catholic.org, Opeds.com, and Speroforum.com. He can be reached at mattcabbott@gmail.com.

[NYer]

IMHO, all of this press has been drummed up as a way to draw attention and interest in a book that has a limited audience.

[Nihil Obstat]

Christopher Ferrara can start his own network.

[AliVeritas]

So it begins... I have to check MichNews for a follow-up and email Matt and Mike. Thanks.

[AliVeritas]

SSPX in action... I'll start a novena.

[Aquinasfan]

Ferrara is among a group of Catholic traditionalists who believe EWTN has become modernist.

Gimme a break. All I see is orthodoxy, from the director of theology (Colin Donavan) to the reverential Sunday afternoon Benediction.

[Alex Murphy]

Interesting reading. SSPX vs EWTN ping!

[Convert from ECUSA]

"It is a gross distortion to infer that EWTN, since Mother's stroke and subsequent absence from the camera, has deteriorated into a modernist, heterodox, sacriligeous agent of modern Catholic media. EWTN is not perfect, but neither is Vatican radio or TV. There is no perfect broadcasting network on earth nor will there ever be. The same applies to print and other media. Outside the inspired, infallible and inerrant revealed Word of God found in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, anything produced by mere man will be imperfect. Nevertheless, in comparison, I dare say there has never been, nor is there now, and I predict there may never be, another more orthodox, reverent, and Catholic network as EWTN."

"Now, EWTN is no pope, but the criticisms and attacks leveled against it are often similar to those thrown at John Paul II or Benedict XVI. Again, if I were the CEO or president or director of programming, I might air some different programs or produce some different shows, but what is produced and what is shown on TV, radio, satellite, and the Internet is Catholic and orthodox. It may not always be good TV, but it's always Catholic and it's always orthodox. It's not easy running a global network on a shoestring budget. Many people who work at EWTN gave up high paying salaries and promising, profitable careers to work for Mother Angelica. If every diocese and parish had that quality of personnel — their competence and their Christian behavior — we would all be in much better shape than we are now. It's unfair and unjust to impute motives, infer hidden agendas and speculate about behind the scenes machinations at EWTN when it has been the only global Catholic network in history to reach so many souls and to spread the unadulterated truths of our holy religion. I have not seen nor heard one dogma or doctrine denied or diluted on EWTN. I cannot say that for most of our so-called Catholic colleges, universities and seminaries. What worries me is that the real war and battle is being ignored and obfuscated by these petty clashes over style, opinion, and taste. Instead of bashing EWTN, we need to support it, as it gets no funding whatsoever from the USCCB — or any individual bishop or diocese, for that matter. Even the Vatican doesn't fund it. EWTN survives on its own, but what it does in proliferating papal teachings, the sublime beauty of the catechism, the splendor of Eucharistic Benediction, the Holy Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, daily Mass, and a plethora of shows about Catholicism, is second to none. What disturbs me, however, is a growing phenomenon where both liberal and conservatives have become strange bed-fellows in their caustic and acrimonious attacks on specific popes or their policies. Our efforts need to be directed toward the real enemies: dissident theologians, incompetent bishops, heterodox clergy, and lax Catholics who repudiate Humanae Vitae and the Catechism, who support abortion, euthanasia, contraception, homosexuality, and who promote or tolerate liturgical abuse. Picking on the pope and EWTN will do nothing but play into the devil's hands. The prince of darkness is the author of all lies and is the son of perdition. If EWTN were silenced and Catholics obeyed only the popes they 'liked,' satan will have won the war after all."

[B Knotts]

I don't think Christopher Ferrara is associated with the SSPX. I think he's more of a Feeneyite.

[Thorin]

>>>>>>Christopher Ferrara can start his own network.

Well said.

[NYer]

It would be mighty entertaining, with shows like "What Pope St. Pius X Thinks About Tonight's News",

ROFL!!! Thanks, I needed a good laugh.

[annalex]

a live TV broadcast in which an 'expert' on Catholic marriage urges viewers to imagine Our Lord engaging in marital relations through one's spouse as the 'incarnation' of His love?

I'd like to see a verbatim quote, and not a paraphrase. This is a delicate topic that can be easily caricatured. I suspect, Christopher Ferrara is providing a caricature. I have heard some of the talks by Christofer West on theology of the body on the radio (it is clear that the talk was also televized). I cannot be sure without a direct reference whether Ferrara is referring to what I heard. Well, West did not say that, and when he was making references to the parallelism between the nuptual giving of self and atonement through the sacrifice of the Incarnate Christ, West was very judicial and precise. He also warned that this matter is easy to caricature.

Assuming a better description of this purported scandal is made in the book than in this interview, Ferrara is free to dislike the parallelism. It is also possible that some, even some Popes, would be shocked by it. Yet, Ferrara must not forget that all Christofer West is soing in his talks is faithfully presenting the theology of the body developed by John Paul II. He can hardly criticize EWTN for making this part of John Paul II's legacy accessible to its viewers.

a 'conservative' Novus Ordo Mass that features every one of the basic liturgical changes demanded by the Protestant rebels of the 16th century, including a dogged defense of communion in the hand by multiple EWTN 'experts'?

Again, Ferrara is free to dislike communion in the hand, as well as the entire Novus Ordo, but it happens to be a valid option according to Rome. Why should it not be defended, and even doggedly defended? From my frequent listening to the EWTN radio I can attest that various EWTN hosts as a whole provide the necessary clarity and distinguish between what Vatican II actually said, and what is luturgical abuse. Communion in the hand is not abuse. Other things (e.g. improperly prepared bread) are, and EWTN states so. Ferrara cannot fault EWTN for defending what is valid, especially since they also do not tire to point out what is invalid.

[franky]

There is no one more Catholic than Fr. Trugillio. For him to give an answer is OK in my book.

Fr, John states one word and that is "obedience". I think the author should give more respect to that word in his comments.

Fr. Francis' Mass this AM discussed confession. His homily in 20 minutes was probably more time spent on that Sacrament than all the other Masses said to day in the U. S. The author seems to forget that our Lords' directive was to go out and save souls. EWTN, its employees and priests will certainly be on the greeting line when the souls they led to heaven come and thank them. We do not need more derisiveness in the Church.

[B-Chan]

This writer has some interesting points to make, but nevertheless I have a deep skepticism when it comes to the ideas of those who seem to be presenting themselves as "more Catholic than the Pope".

[Unam Sanctam]

This is why I tear out my hear at these schismatics. There is so much work to be done constructively to shore up orthodoxy in the Church and counteract dissenters and heretics, and who do they attack, EWTN! It is such a waste and misuse of resources... Why don't they fight against real heretics for a change?

[franky]

I just Googled the "Review" writer of the author's book. One name showed up, Michael J. Matt, Editor

http://qien.free.fr/2006/200602/20060202_matt.htm

[Nihil Obstat]

Well done. I agree completely with one minor note. The show was probably "Theology of the Body" with Fr. Richard Hogan and Katrina Zeno. It is right in-line with what Christopher West teaches, which is what Pope John Paul II wrote.

http://www.ewtn.com/series/2005/Theology.htm

[mike182d]

There is no doubt in my mind that St. Pius X, or any other of the great pre-Conciliar Popes, would scream with horror at much of what EWTN broadcasts to the world as authentic Roman Catholicism.

There is no doubt in my mind that Pope St. Pius X, or any other of the great pre-Conciliar Popes, would scream with horrot at much of what the SSPX spews to the world as authentic Roman Catholicism.

[annalex]

Thank you.

Again, Ferrara should have identified the show rather than leaving us guessing.