Let me cite three programs that trouble me. One is 'Women of Grace'. I know the women leader means well, but she is too dogmatic. I have been especially perturbed by those guests who have so strongly condemned other groups. Take the Masons. I'm not interested in defending the Masons, but why alienate so many by launching such questionable attacks on them? These accusations may have been justified in Europe 200-300 years ago, but we live in the USA in 2010, and the Masons are among our leading citizens and they do wonderful work through their 22 Shriner Hospitals and other humanitarian efforts. And they take, for example, children of any faith, whether or not the families can pay, and for however long it takes to heal them. They should be respected instead of attacked so viciously.
Second, "Journey Home". I know the host tries to sound moderate, but most of the time it is bent on not-so-subtly assailing Protestantism in one form or another. Gosh, the Reformation happened nearly 500 years ago. We live in an ecumenical age. Since Vatican II there has been a new sense of fellowship among most Christians. Why mess it up by featuring those who leave one Christian group for another? Besides, around here at least, there seems to be a major exodus from Catholicism. especially to evangelical groups. And a number of their prominent ministers are former Catholics.
Third, Fr. Corapi. Yes, I know. He tells it like it is. And he tries to sound humble. And he's a powerful speaker with an agile mind and a large supply of knowledge. But I hear, also, an arrogance that can sound offensive. He preaches the old Catholicism that emphasized unquestioning obedience to the Church. Hey, we live in 2010 and Americans are much better educated and most of them, especially the young, are turned off when they are told that they must obey Mother Church. He doesappeal to the militants who place their tribal loyalty above everything, but this can be alienating, too. At least to me. I much prefer, say, a Fr. Benedict and others. Oh, I'm not all that swayed by Scott Hahn. He certainly can pour forth with doctrines and history, but .... well, again, too dogmatic for me.
We need to understand that his world is a big place, maybe a billion solar systems, and certainly filled with magnificence and majesty and mystery. We need to be tolerant of those who can't accept each and every story they hear on EWTN. When I hear the Lords, for example, and some of the miracles they attribute to various saints I want to cry out: "Please, give me a break!" St. Padre Pio levitated and bilocated? I have trouble with tales like that, and I suspect that millions in the Church feel as I do.
Catholicism needs to provide a big tent, allowing more freedom when it comes to some matters of doctrine.
In conclusion, I chatted with two priests fairly recently. I mentioned EWTN, just to get their reaction. One said he never watched it. He was embarrassed by it and wish it would go away. The other said whenever he watched it he had trouble sleeping that night!
Oh, nothing personal in this. I certainly respect the devotion and diligence and creativity of Mother Angelica, but I must, in all honesty, question the overall tenor of EWTN. It could present such a positive view of Catholicism instead of spending so much time sounding defensive and arbitrary.
I think ABC is artificial birth control (I’m guessing).