Is SiriusXM Catholic Guy show blasphemous?

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Over the past few months I have wondered whether or not the Catholic Guy (Lino Rulli) takes too much liberty in having fun with Catholicism. For example, on his recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he and his producer (Tyler) noted that Jesus must’ve have “great legs” because of the hilly countryside. I don’t doubt his faithfulness but would like to know if these sort of comments wrong. I personally feel these types of comments can cause other believers to stumble. Thoughts?
 
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I had the exact same thought when I toured the Holy Land. “All this walking and mountain climbing, Jesus and the Apostles and Mary must have all been in great shape.”
If you’ve seen the terrain of the Holy Land and the walking distances it’s a natural observation.
 
Blasphemous - no.

Counterproductive - maybe?

Their show is simply supposed to be a cultural Catholic alternative to secular shows.

I don’t listen their show very often, but I don’t really have a major issue with it because I think there is room for his show within the sphere of Catholic media.

To be completely honest, the whole SiriusXM Catholic Channel is nothing but cultural Catholicism, which is fine. Again, there is room for it.

However, the one program that I somewhat take issue with is Cardinal Dolan’s show. Reason, the show is mostly a “cultural Catholicism show” as well. Yes, he sometimes addresses more serious issues, but he rarely performs catechesis and/or preaches.

I personally, think he’s not making the most of a great opportunity to teach the faith.

So again, I think there is plenty of room for a show like Lino Rulli’s. However, I think our Bishops & priests should should be modeling their radio shows after Pope John Paul II’s addresses, not after Catholic comedians.

NOTE: it is NOT my intention to criticize the job Cardinal Dolan is doing as a Bishop. I’m simply criticizing the radio show he’s on (which he did not create) - not his job as Archbishop of New York or as one of the leaders in the American Church.

God Bless
 
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People who walk everywhere are in better physical condition than we office potatoes.

Nothing at all “blasphemous”. Lino Rulli is a solid Catholic.
 
That’s really interesting. I hope to go there someday. Thank you for your help!
 
I surely appreciate that. I admit that I like show that teach as opposed to entertain. I have become more informed by almost any program on Relevant Radio compared to SiriusXM. Now, thanks to your response, I can understand why. Thank you!
 
I’ve tried it a few times. Sirius seems to waver between the light and fluffy, as you noticed, and the unrealistically obscure (like some of their quiz shows-- “Name three reforms from the Fifth Lateran Council!” or “St. Peter Chrysologus admonished the heretic Eutyches to accept what finding from the synod in Constantinople in 448?”)

They had the hands-down best coverage of the Papal visit, though.
 
Thank you for your response. Now, on that same pilgrimage, he admitted that they do lots of drinking. Do you think that statements like these could be stumbling blocks for others newer to the Faith? I just feel like some things he says makes me just turn the channel but other things keep me engaged. Please let me know your thoughts!
 
Now that’s a complicated response, lol! I mentioned Relevant Radio in a different response (not sure if I am allowed to do that) but I have come to the conclusion that SiriusXM Catholic Channel isn’t the place to learn about the faith. Thank you!
 
Drinking alcohol is not sinful. Christ drank wine, we are not tee-totlers.
 
JustinSafari said:
Thank you for your response. Now, on that same pilgrimage, he admitted that they do lots of drinking. Do you think that statements like these could be stumbling blocks for others newer to the Faith? I just feel like some things he says makes me just turn the channel but other things keep me engaged. Please let me know your thoughts!
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I’m just going to say one thing about this… I would never consider a trip to the Holy Land (or anywhere else) with the Catholic Guy Show to be a “pilgrimage.” I would consider it a “sightseeing trip / vacation with opportunities for prayer.”

And to be honest, some parish “pilgrimages” these days are very similar - just without a comedian.

So while I surely would not consider his trips to be true pilgrimages, I DO THINK this trips serve a good purpose.

He attracts people who most likely would not go on a “Patrick Madrid Pilgrimage” or perhaps even a pilgrimage with their home parish/diocese.

Getting people to go on his trips is better than them not going at all.

God Bless
 
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I used to listen to Lino a lot some years ago. I loved his show.

He might have been a little irreverent at times, but his show was meant to reach out to a younger generation and be funny. I wouldn’t say he was blasphemous. That would be far worse than anything he did or joked about on the air. He was definitely a different type of Catholic media personality.

Lino could talk about the faith while doing real comedy without insulting the Church. I can’t think of many out there who can do Catholic comedy.

Of course, I haven’t listened to “The Catholic Guy” in a while. But I did find it to be quite entertaining. He has gone through a number of different producers and on air partners. The best era of the show for me is when he had Lou and Maureen as his regular on air partners and Father Jim would be a guest often. I remember Father Rob too, who i understand left the Priesthood.
 
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JustinSafari said:
Thank you for your response. Now, on that same pilgrimage, he admitted that they do lots of drinking. Do you think that statements like these could be stumbling blocks for others newer to the Faith? I just feel like some things he says makes me just turn the channel but other things keep me engaged. Please let me know your thoughts!
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I’m not familiar with this person, but from what you’ve said, there’s nothing here I find concerning. I think what might turn off people new to the Faith is if we scold and worry about every little thing, like someone mentioning beer or suggesting that Jesus must have been in good shape. It makes Catholics look like uptight prudes who can’t relax. I appreciate your reverence but I think you’re overthinking this a bit.
 
I agree that drinking alcohol in and of itself isn’t a sin. On the other hand, drinking alcohol in excess should be avoided (my opinion). Maybe I just just “have it out” for this guy, idk.
 
Thank you for your thoughtful response! I can see how we cannot be prudes and still hope to evangelize. I would like to think that Jesus had good humor. Thanks!
 
The good thing is, not everyone has the same taste.

Some people read Peter Kreeft while others read St Louis de Montefort.

Lino Rulli is doing what God has called him to do. I miss the shows, but, cannot afford sat radio. I also liked the Johnny Carson and David Letterman shows. That dry wit is right up my alley!
 
JustinSafari said:
I surely appreciate that. I admit that I like show that teach as opposed to entertain. I have become more informed by almost any program on Relevant Radio compared to SiriusXM. Now, thanks to your response, I can understand why. Thank you!
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I love Relevant Radio!

I know there are some people (esp those who used to live in Immaculate Heart Radio land) who don’t like it because there are not as many prayer & spiritual programs as Immaculate Heart Radio had- but I think it’s very orthodox and takes a balanced approach to reach as many souls as possible.

They have a focus on Catechesis and current events which I find to be good. They are a great Catholic alternative to both NPR and Conservative Talk Radio
 
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JustinSafari said:
I surely appreciate that. I admit that I like show that teach as opposed to entertain.
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I mean, it’s fine if this guy just isn’t your taste. Doesn’t mean he’s “wrong” somehow, just not your thing. That’s fine: different strokes for different folks.
 
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