Ewtn and Eastern Catholicism

[Peter_J]

For LCs who want to learn about Eastern Catholicism, it’s probably better for them to get their facts from EWTN than from an internet forum like this.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

For LCs who want to learn about Eastern Catholicism, it’s probably better for them to get their facts from EWTN than from an internet forum like this.

I would agree, and with speakers and guests like Fr. Loya, there’s no need for us to get in the middle.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

For LCs who want to learn about Eastern Catholicism, it’s probably better for them to get their facts from EWTN than from an internet forum like this.

Better still, there is the old fashioned library and religious bookstore where one can get the very best of stuff! It’s a sad day when we limit ourselves to TV and the internet.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

I think you misread. Corki said they don’t have a duty to represent all Catholics

Sorry, I meant “don’t.”

 

[Aelred_Minor]

Most of the people making the programs are Latin Rite Catholics. Most of the people watching the programs are Latin Rite Catholics. Why would it be surprising or offensive that most of the program comes from a Latin perspective?

 

[AnotherVoice]

I would love to see more factual programming regarding the Eastern Orthodox, I have found it difficult to get into the eastern belief system. Most of the discussions I have encountered are very big on calling attention to points of disagreement according to a single point of view. Too often this is directed at making the other set of beliefs look not well founded.

It would be great to have a couple of priests from the east and a couple of priests from the west just sit down and talk about their views on three or four topics for an hour or so. Not to debate but simply state here is the eastern belief on a topic and then here is the western view on the same topic, thank you and move on to the next topic.

I would like to keep it at priests who work with the regular members of the parish community, not theologians or men who have attained rank within their church; just the work-a-day guys from the neighborhood. I want to know what do you teach your congregation regarding a hundred different topics.

I understand that financially it may be tough to support this type of programming; I think that EWTN and Ancient Faith Radio have all they can do to keep up with what is needed within a single faith tradition. Maybe a cooperative blog could be used to entertain this type of dialogue; just part of my wish list.

 

[Corki]

Kindly refer to Orientale Lumen

I have read the document. It talks about efforts of the Church. EWTN is not the Church. It is an organization founded and run by individuals and operated as a business. It’s target audience is Catholic. But it’s not the Church.

There is an attitude on CAF that somethow the Eastern Catholics are like an underreprented minority and that Latin Catholics need to apply Affirmative Action policies. There is much more of a “should” when you talk to diocese and parishes than speaking of private businesses such as EWTN. And would you require every Latin diocese to devote a certain amount of its resources to Eastern Catholicism? If they did, I suspect many of you would accuse them of trying to impose Latin influence on the East. And of course, if Latin diocese were expected to devote time and resources to Eastern matters, would the reverse be true as well?

 

[Seamus_L]

Very well put Corki.

 

[Peter_J]

Most of the people making the programs are Latin Rite Catholics. Most of the people watching the programs are Latin Rite Catholics. Why would it be surprising or offensive that most of the program comes from a Latin perspective?

I agree that we shouldn’t be surprised or offended that so far there’s only a small amount of coverage of Eastern Catholicism. Still, there’s nothing wrong with hoping …

 

[Corki]

I agree that we shouldn’t be surprised or offended that so far there’s only a small amount of coverage of Eastern Catholicism. Still**, there’s nothing wrong with hoping …**.

Absolutely! As with any business, it is perfectly fine to make your desires known, to request specific kinds of programming and to try to convince EWTN to do it. I only bristled at the idea that EWTN, as a private organization, was somehow obligated or duty bound to provide this. Sorry if I offended anyone here.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

I have read the document. It talks about efforts of the Church.

Not quite …

IThere is an attitude on CAF that somethow the Eastern Catholics are like an underreprented minority …

Perhaps that is true to some extent, and that may be a perception to which you are responding, but (i) I did not suggest that (in fact, I was quite complementary of EWTN in general and in its coverage of Eastern Catholic topics) and (ii) the fact remains that the Latin Church is largely unknowledgeable of the breadth of the Universal Church, which was faithfully addressed by + Blessed Pope John Paul II in Orientale Lumen.

With due respect Corki, I probably would not have posted here at all, except for the fact that some earlier posts here did seem to support a perpetuation of a condition and mode of thought that Eastern Catholics do (and should) find offensive. That is, the Roman Catholic Church is just that and should take no interest whatsoever in anything that is not Roman Catholic.

EWTN is and should be faithful to the mission of its Church, and in that regard, it should be interested in promoting the depth and beauty that is evident in the entirety of the Universal Church, not just the Roman Catholic majority (by numbers, but not by degree of dignity).

Again, for the record and FWIW, I personally do think EWTN does an admirable job in this area across the board, and mentioned in my earlier posts. The programming, when aired, is quality programming. There is abudant usage of Eastern Christian iconography and other symbolic images even in the general programming that does not go unnoticed. However, the Eastern Catholic programs are often aired at odd hours and at irregular intervals, which is very noticable to those who follow it and seek them.

In addition, the resources on their website are thoughtful in scope and content, and one can find a good selection of Eastern Catholic items in their religious catalog as well.

It certainly cannot be argued that EWTN acts as if Eastern Catholicism doesn’t exist. Some earlier comments in this thread, however, made it sound as if they should. That attitude will likely be perceived as offensive to many who post here, Eastern Christians (including the Orthodox who fear it when discussing the prospect of reunion) and Traditional Catholics alike.

 

[paglione]

I respectfully disagree - to bring Catholicism into our homes also means to bring the variety of liturgical and canonical expressions of Catholicism into our homes and to make Latin Catholics aware of them since so many are so woefully ignorant of them. Otherwise, we make what is Rome’s historical error in equating Latin theology with “Catholicism” which surely has a universal quality.

I think EWTN’s mission would be greatly enhanced if they had more emphasis on things like icons, the Jesus Prayer, Eastern Saints and the mystical Divine Liturgies - don’t you?

Alex

4/26/2012
Alexander Roman, I couldn’t agree with you more! Latin rite Catholics know little about their sister churches because the sister Catholic churches are rarely discussed from the pulpit or in the Latin rite press. Perhaps the Latin rite clergy consider it not important enough to educate Latins about the Eastern churches. If this is so, then much of the Latin rite clergy have a very narrow view of Universal Catholicism which they promulgate to the faithful from childhood on. How will the Universal Catholic Church prepare itself for the time
when the Orthodox Churches becomes united with the Catholic Church. Then they will have to pay attention.
paglione

 

[sedonaman]

I respectfully disagree - to bring Catholicism into our homes also means to bring the variety of liturgical and canonical expressions of Catholicism into our homes and to make Latin Catholics aware of them since so many are so woefully ignorant of them. Otherwise, we make what is Rome’s historical error in equating Latin theology with “Catholicism” which surely has a universal quality.

I think EWTN’s mission would be greatly enhanced if they had more emphasis on things like icons, the Jesus Prayer, Eastern Saints and the mystical Divine Liturgies - don’t you?

Alex

Why should EWTN be required to advertise its competition?

 

[sedonaman]

EWTN’s mission is to support and witness the Roman rite.

 

[Cavaradossi]

EWTN’s mission is to support and witness the Roman rite.

I did not realize that the Latin Church was competing with the Eastern Catholic Churches. What an interesting revelation.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

Why should EWTN be required to advertise its competition?

This is by far the most disappointing response I have seen from a fellow Catholic on this or any other forum, on any subject.

OUR MISSION (source: EWTN - General)

EWTN Global Catholic Network is dedicated to teaching the truth as defined by the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. In keeping with the Holy Father’s call for a New Evangelization, EWTN’s mission is to communicate the teachings and the beauty of the Catholic Church and to help people grow in their love and understanding of God and His infinite mercy.

I could be mistaken, but it would seem that airing programming about the Catholic Church, both East and West, would be very much in line with that mission statement.

In the meantime, with reactions like this nearly 50 years after Vatican II and most ironically on this precise day, the 17th anniversary of the publication of Orientale Lumen, I find this prevailing attitude to be truly disappointing.

Instead of praying for unity with the Orthodox, I’ll now start praying for understanding within the Catholic Church, of which I previously thought Eastern Catholics were an integral part.

In the meantime, I’ll be prayerfully hopeful of God’s infinite mercy!

 

[dixieagle]

Why should EWTN be required to advertise its competition?

With all due respect, this question reflects a thorough ignorance of the rich tapestry that makes up the Catholic (universal) Church.

 

[sedonaman]

With all due respect, this question reflects a thorough ignorance of the rich tapestry that makes up the Catholic (universal) Church.

The Church is not a carpet; it is a teaching institution, and there must be a difference between what the Roman rite teaches and what the Eastern rite teaches, otherwise there wouldn’t be a division. If a potential convert were to ask the pope which rite to join, would the pope tell him to join the Roman or Eastern? [Note: Please do not introduce a third irrelevant choice.]

 

[Cavaradossi]

The Church is not a carpet; it is a teaching institution.

No, the Church is the body and bride of Christ, not some vain philosopher’s club.

 

[anp1215]

The Church is not a carpet; it is a teaching institution, and there must be a difference between what the Roman rite teaches and what the Eastern rite teaches, otherwise there wouldn’t be a division. If a potential convert were to ask the pope which rite to join, would the pope tell him to join the Roman or Eastern? [Note: Please do not introduce a third irrelevant choice.]

What division? We are in Communion!