Your thoughts on Pope Francis’ criticism of EWTN

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Pope Francis has met some Slovak Jesuits and mentioned a “big Catholic television station” which criticizes him. He criticized the network, presumably EWTN, for attacking it, saying it was “the work of the devil”. And NCR political columnist Michael Sean Winters says US bishops need to rethink their relationship with EWTN. Here are the responses from NCR readers to those two articles. The letters have been edited for length and clarity.

Over the past three years, EWTN has made its goal of overturning abortion laws its top priority. Their enthusiasm resembles that of a political party that wants to demonize all Democrats, making pro-life the primary stake in the choice of the candidate. It’s wrong.

EWTN begins to use fire against fire. God uses the opposite of fire. Love destroys confusion and doubt.

MARK CICERONew York, New York

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The article, “It is time for American bishops to reconsider their relationship with EWTN”, should read “It is high time for American bishops to reconsider their relationship with EWTN”.

Although I don’t watch it, I sometimes read the National Catholic Reporter Facebook page with its comments. It will contain links and advertisements for ETWN. Anyone who displays an opposing point of view is ganged up with the intention of complying or being kicked out of the site. Protoschism is full in their minds. All they need is a leader to follow.

American Bishops will never challenge wealthy and influential EWTN executives because that would mean they would be in EWTN’s sights and the last thing Bishops want is to draw attention to themselves. with negative consequences. Bishops without a vision cannot lead, so they cannot challenge anyone or anything, let alone the EWTN powerhouse. A major question is how many bishops will actively support EWTN against their fellow bishops to the point of going on the carpet? Bishop’s factions played behind closed doors would be in full view.

American bishops will not defend Pope Francis who says some are praying for his death. It literally came to life and death situations in the American Catholic Church. Anti-Francis bishops are said to be pro-EWTN. That too many people supported Donald Trump is an indicator of the severity of the disease in the American church. It did not happen overnight. It didn’t start with Trump. He was present in the church before Vatican II, having changed little since. There is no sign of calling into question the status quo, let alone changing anytime soon.

MICHAEL J. McDERMOTTTyler, Texas

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I didn’t like Mother Angélique’s rough edges. She was not one of my favorites. I didn’t like the iron grip with which she ruled over everything. I once called the live program where she was lamenting the abortion. I said yes I understand but the answer is not just anti abortion billboards, but the evangelism of the culture and the nation.

The public disagreement between Nancy Pelosi and the Archbishop of San Francisco is the type of confrontation that should take place, the other bishops of the United States should rally to it as should the National Catholic Reporter.

RICK LUCZAKBay City, Michigan

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EWTN’s political posture is no different from other right-wing media in that it entertains a segment of the population that lends itself to their arguments. Everyone is free to connect or not to these media as they wish and the demonization of any one is counterproductive as it inspires more allegiance from their subscribers motivated by nothing more than resentment.

The Catholic Church in our country is polarized to the same extent as the general public. Bishops are no different from politicians whose views they echo and these are the views encouraged by many benefactors who have a vested interest in polarizing our people. Our divisions lead to a political policy on the brink of collapse and an uncompromising confrontation which is the complete opposite of what a mature democratic republic needs from its legislators.

Although Michael Seam Winters advocates that bishops have no relationship with EWTN, it is a way in which bishops can address a large segment of the Catholic population. Likewise, right-wing politicians use their own media to address their own base. Of course, this has the effect of perpetuating our differences and our divisions. However, these divisions would likely continue anyway. The best option is to present different points of view in these media so that the selected audiences hear different positions and thus broaden their encounters with different points of view.

Arguably this would lead to an editorial shift on the part of these media as well as receptivity to spokespersons who are not normally part of that same echo chamber. However, in the interest of uniting their flocks as one people and not continuing to encourage separation through political divisions, many bishops who usually present conservative views might try to argue the other side in some respect for allow open discussion and not closed proselytism. .

CHARLES A. LE GUERNGranger, Indiana

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