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Lepanto
Guest
Do you primarily or exclusively attend the TLM?
If so, what do you think of EWTN?
If so, what do you think of EWTN?
Do you primarily or exclusively attend the TLM? If so, what do you think of EWTN?
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GerardP
Guest
Yes to the first question.
As to the second, aside from Bishop Sheen and the Chesterton show, there is very little on EWTN that can be depended on for accuracy.
Much is political spinning of doctrine to allow for liberal interpretations of clear cut Catholic Teaching.
Fr. Benedict Groeschel for one,despite being a nice man, unfortunately needs to be removed, He spreads actual heresy on the air.
One of the main problems I have is that there are never any corrections on EWTN. You’d think they’ve been batting a thousand for 25 years. They make mistakes or promote errors all the time, yet you’d never know it.
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Lepanto
Guest
Can you please be specific and name some of the heresies and errors promoted by EWTN?
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GerardP
Guest
Primarily, I’ve heard Fr. Groeschel deny the doctrine of EENS. He has misrepresented the scriptures to support his arguments and been obstinate in his denial. He literally said, “I never bought that.” Fr. Pacwa has said the same thing, “I personally don’t hold it, but I’m here to teach what the Church teaches, not what I think.”
Fr. Pacwa has also made statements about Fr. Malachi Martin and his book “The Jesuits” which were untrue. Fr. Martin was a far more impressive Jesuit than Fr. Pacwa and he should be ashamed of himself for his calumny.
They present the Catholic faith as being “the fullness” of truth instead of “necessary” for salvation.
They promote false ideas about the Popes, they promote a form of papolatry that is completely unhealthy. They ignore the most important Popes of the last 2 centuries instead focusing on promoting the liberal philosophies of John Paul II and present it as actual magisterial teaching instead of the actual magisterial teachings of Pius IX, Leo XIII, Pius X, Pius XI, Pius XII.
All of the talk of Canonization of JPII and they haven’t once done an in depth analysis of the only Pope of the 20th Century who was canonized. St.Pius X, one of only 3 canonized Popes in a thousand years. That’s because St. Pius X was the exact opposite of JPII and the contradictions apparent and the comparisons would take the bloom off the rose of JPII “the Great.”
I would love to see Fr. Pacwa go line by line through the encyclicals of St. Pius X, and read them as is, they would blow the lid off of most of the shenanigans of the modern liberal and conservative factions of the Church and condemn much being done on EWTN.
And EWTN never, ever admits to being wrong. There are no corrections on their website, never any corrections on the part of priests or laiety who get things wrong.
Even last night, Fr. Pacwa was on TV misleading some poor kid asking a question about the so-called “Charismatic” movement and it’s place in the Church. He talked about it’s origins in the 60’
s in Protestant circles, (Not exactly Apostolic) and mentioned none of the abberrations associated with Charismatic liturgies which are even against the decrees of the beloved Second Vatican Council. He tried to pass off John Paul II as supporting the movement when JPII only tolerated the movement and actually ridiculed it on video back in the early 80’s.
If you really are curious, read Chris Ferrara’s book: EWTN A Network Gone Wrong. I have yet to see anyone actually refute the facts as he’s presented them. In fact, I’m the “concerned Catholic” mentioned on page 79 or so, who wrote to Robert Sungenis about Fr. Groeschel trying to misrepresent the Gospel by appealing to the Greek text. Dr. Sungenis forwarded my reference to Ferrara and Ferrara obtained a copy of the show and it’s listed in the footnotes of his book.
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thistle
Guest
How about Father Corapi?
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GerardP
Guest
Fr. Corapi and Fr. Brian Mullady are probably the best living priests that EWTN has on for solid catechesis. Fr. Shannon Collins was also very good when he was on but he would start to fumble when presenting a modern spin on things like EENS.
But, they generally have to whitewash the problems of Vatican II and Fr. Corapi at least has exaggerated the Magisterium into a form of papal impeccability. This is basically a defense mechanism, in order to preach some traditionalist teaching, they have to modify the Church’s teaching from Truth above Unity to Unity above Truth when it comes to the Pope. This error inevitably leads to trouble.
Fr. Mullady is actually quite ingenious in the way he presents things, he can find the meagerest traditional crumb in an encyclical of John Paul II, ignore the novelties and leave one convinced that JPII was a flawless Thomist. If I remember correctly, Fr. Mullady had something to do with the training of Fr. Corapi and Fr. Mullady if I recall once referred to himself as a reformed modernist. I’m not 100% sure on those two bits of trivia though.
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Tommy_Joe
Guest
I belong to an FSSP community and attend the Extraordinary Form of the Mass exclusively.
I watch, on the average, about one and half to two hours of EWTN a day. Are* all *of the programs to my liking? Of course not.
Having mixed emotions concerning the accomplishments of Pope John Paul II, I do look forward to the day when newer shows replace a lot of the older video-tapes. Perhaps in ten years or so, most programs will feature more references to Pope Benedict XVI and his accomplishments.
Father Corapi has been a true blessing to the Church, (pray for him, I think he’s ill), and has surely changed the lives of countless people around the world for the better, no doubt Mother Angelica’s older shows have done the same.
The EWTN network and it’s presentations have gone a lot further to make this world a better place to live in then say,…ABC, NBC, CBS,…or for that manner any OTHER of the 400 channels offered by my cable network.
So, until the day something better comes along,…my family will continue to support it.
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Elzee
Guest
what is EENS?
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SJP
Guest
Agreed!
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preV2tradcath
Guest
Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus. It is the Latin for No Salvation Outside the Church.
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GerardP
Guest
I agree and Chris Ferrara in his book on EWTN agrees that there is much that is good on EWTN. But let’s not fool ourselves into thinking it’s the Catholic ideal. Far from it.
Ferrara points out that “moderate modernism” is promoted there as condemned by Pope St. Pius X.
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Andreas_Hofer
Guest
I am with you on the question of EENS - Fr. Groeschel has often made me very nervous when talking about non-Catholics and even other religions. I’m not sure that I’ve ever heard something that was indubitably heretical from him (since one can very misleadingly play up the possibility of invincible ignorance, etc. …), but they still need to have a clearer line on what the Church’s teaching really is.
On the other hand, I have always been glad for the way in which their on-air personalities have sought to constructively criticize some of the Church’s modern ills without sounding as if they are setting themselves up as a higher authority or claiming that the Church’s practice is outright pernicious. Would I appreciate stronger criticism of some things? Of course, but they have to walk a fine line in order to stay out of the bishops’ crosshairs. I think they have some good conservative programming, some good will toward but precious little outright traditional programming, and then some other stuff that I could very well do without (in addition to when they blur doctrine a bit).
On the whole: not ideal, but the best we’ve got in broadcasting, so we should work to make it better rather than simply oppose it for its flaws.
BTW - yes, I attend the TLM as exclusively as travel, etc., allows.
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curtishouse29
Guest
The main show on EWTN that I watch is “The One True Faith” with Michael Voris. He would never be construed as a liberal by any means lol He has such conviction for the faith and his latest special “The Cost of Abortion” should be highly commended. Just my :twocents:
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PrayforMallory
Guest
I exclusively attend the TLM.
The way they do the Mass on EWTN is very nice. There’s nothing wrong with the Novus Ordo, especially when done well.
The problem I would have is that compared to the Tridentine Mass the “Reform of the Reform” Novus Ordo is kind of stripped down and basic. Not bad, just basic. It would be good for daily Mass, but it doesn’t compare to the rich complexity and symbolism of a Solemn High Mass or Missa Cantata, in my opinion.
The preaching at these Masses is excellent. Stuff you don’t hear in your average parish.
I also like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy they do.
If every Novus Ordo was done like on EWTN, we’d never probably have had these issues. At the same time, knowing my way around the Tridentine Mass nowadays, anything less seems overly simplified.
At any rate, I enjoy watching EWTN.
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JayneSusan
Guest
OK…this will be my first post and I pray not my last…EWTN is a wellspring of Grace!! The Journey Home is my favorite show!!
How could anyone say negative about the shows on EWTN!!
As far as the teaching of No Salvation Outside the Church…Let’s be non judgemental here and love a little… what does Scripture say…There are many in the flock that are not in the fold…The “Church” if I am not misstaken are her people…I know many Christians who will be in heaven while I am still cooking in purgatory…The Catholic Church is God’s Church no doubt about it and He prayed May we all be one as They are One…Please don’t be upset with me but LOVE is the only thing that will follow us to heaven…The Greatest Commandment…How else do you preach the Gospel without words?? Good ol’ St Francis style…
How could anyone say negative about the shows on EWTN!!
As far as the teaching of No Salvation Outside the Church…Let’s be non judgemental here and love a little… what does Scripture say…There are many in the flock that are not in the fold…The “Church” if I am not misstaken are her people…I know many Christians who will be in heaven while I am still cooking in purgatory…The Catholic Church is God’s Church no doubt about it and He prayed May we all be one as They are One…Please don’t be upset with me but LOVE is the only thing that will follow us to heaven…The Greatest Commandment…How else do you preach the Gospel without words?? Good ol’ St Francis style…
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JW10631
Guest
Certain Traditionalists don’t like EWTN and didn’t care for John Paul II.
Liberal Catholics don’t bother at all with EWTN and think John Paul II was an arch-conservative.
Seems to me John Paul II was going to annoy certain people no matter what he did. Same with Benedict.
I would like to see a little more Traditional programming on EWTN but if they had the money they would probably do it. I would like to see more Eastern Catholic programming too, but they don’t have the greatest amount of resources.
Liberal Catholics don’t bother at all with EWTN and think John Paul II was an arch-conservative.
Seems to me John Paul II was going to annoy certain people no matter what he did. Same with Benedict.
I would like to see a little more Traditional programming on EWTN but if they had the money they would probably do it. I would like to see more Eastern Catholic programming too, but they don’t have the greatest amount of resources.
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1holycatholic
Guest
I too enjoy the homilies on EWTN. I miss the homilies by Father Angelus M. Shaughnessy, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. I also enjoy Fr. John Corapi and Fr. Bill Casey.
I attend what was the indult Mass (until the Motu Propio) periodically. I also attend Melkite (Byzantine) and Ruthenian (Byzantine) divine liturgies periodically.
I don’t have any problem with the ordinary form of the Mass, provided there is no monkey business. I wish they would use incense and at least some Latin on Sundays.
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GerardP
Guest
That’s what happens when you stand in the middle of the road and don’t pick a side.
I don’t understand. Is it somehow cheaper to be untraditional?
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JaMc
Guest
I probably would primarily attend the TLM if there was one in my parish (closest one is over 45 minutes and a 1/4 tank of gas away 
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Fr. Groeschel’s statements regarding EENS do concern me somewhat as well - most of the other priests on EWTN, while they downplay it, or water it down, do not outright deny that it is a teaching of the Church. I suppose the difficulty arises in reconciling the doctrine with the principle that, in order to consitute a mortal sin, there is a requirement that the sinner know his act is sinful (what we call the mens rea in the legal world), without resorting to the idea of “Limbo.” However, they can be reconciled, as the more orthodox priests and theologians have shown - Father Corapi, actually, does a pretty good job of this.
In general, though, I do like Fr. Benedict on more general issues and observations of the world as it is - perhaps a stern talking to from his superior or his bishop is in order, or a letter from the CDF informing him of his error. His nearly miraculous recovery from his car accident proves to me that God has a plan for him, and wants him to continue in his ministry.
That being said, I would also like to see some more traditional programming on EWTN. The televised TLM they broadcast once in a while is a good start, but a full 1/2 hour program on the traditional movement hosted by an FSSP priest would be ideal.
).Fr. Groeschel’s statements regarding EENS do concern me somewhat as well - most of the other priests on EWTN, while they downplay it, or water it down, do not outright deny that it is a teaching of the Church. I suppose the difficulty arises in reconciling the doctrine with the principle that, in order to consitute a mortal sin, there is a requirement that the sinner know his act is sinful (what we call the mens rea in the legal world), without resorting to the idea of “Limbo.” However, they can be reconciled, as the more orthodox priests and theologians have shown - Father Corapi, actually, does a pretty good job of this.
In general, though, I do like Fr. Benedict on more general issues and observations of the world as it is - perhaps a stern talking to from his superior or his bishop is in order, or a letter from the CDF informing him of his error. His nearly miraculous recovery from his car accident proves to me that God has a plan for him, and wants him to continue in his ministry.
That being said, I would also like to see some more traditional programming on EWTN. The televised TLM they broadcast once in a while is a good start, but a full 1/2 hour program on the traditional movement hosted by an FSSP priest would be ideal.
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Paul_Folbrecht
Guest
I attend the Latin Mass on Sundays and a daily NO when I can make it.
I used to watch EWTN a great deal, but because my wife & I have decided to not have cable only to watch EWTN, I can’t really watch it anymore. But, I sure loved it when I could. I didn’t watch the Mass much (because I could go!) but it was certainly a perfectly done NO.
I did like Pacwa, and loved Corapi. Corapi is a hero of mine!
I was never on close lookout for any straying from orthodoxy but didn’t notice any.
I used to watch EWTN a great deal, but because my wife & I have decided to not have cable only to watch EWTN, I can’t really watch it anymore. But, I sure loved it when I could. I didn’t watch the Mass much (because I could go!) but it was certainly a perfectly done NO.
I did like Pacwa, and loved Corapi. Corapi is a hero of mine!
I was never on close lookout for any straying from orthodoxy but didn’t notice any.
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