Posted on 03/07/2006 9:39:17 AM PST by Slugworth
I'm not Catholic and I love that man. No liberal there. And I love the old Black and White of some priest(I can't remember his name) who uses a chalk board. Espically his preaching on Communism.
I'm not Catholic and I love that man. No liberal there. And I love the old Black and White of Bishop Sheen who uses a chalk board. Espically his preaching on Communism.
Sorry but I repeated and corrected myself as I saw it was Bishop Sheen.
So true! I had the privelege of hearing Fr. Corapi in person at my liberal parish, invited by an influential parishioner. Fr. Corapi was speaking about sin, the devil, the 10 Commandments and so much more. He was and is riveting, and people didn't budge, so hungry were we for something substantial from the pulpit. The turnout of locals was smaller than expected, but busloads came from as far as 5 hours away. He is indeed no way a liberal.
Get your feed directly from the Vatican. There's no simultaneous translation. It's a good way to brush up on your Italian. I find that I understand a good deal more than with a simul-translation. My brain's not having to switch back and forth.
You know, my friend never made any friends in her SSPX church, they are all too holy for each other, I think.
You know what is really funny? My friend's mother is seriously considering converting to Catholicism (not SSPX) and my friend is very angry about it. She would have been doing cartwheels a few years ago.
Whats a "trad"? And, assuming you can define the term, perhaps you'll share your opinions on the splinter issue.
The problem for Ferrara seems to be that EWTN does not "do" Catholicism his way. And, as another posted so aptly pointed out, Ferrara didn't like EWTN before Mother Angelica had her stroke. I know in some of the more conservative circles there was genuine relief when Fr. Pacwa became more involved at EWTN as the rumor was that Mother Angelica was "being controlled by feminists." I thought the rumor was "over the top" but since reading about this book I wonder if some of those who have always thought EWTN was Post Vatican II Catholic heresy (not me), are emboldened by her weakened state and are using it as an opportunity to sell books.
I sincerely doubt that Ferrara would have had the guts to openly criticize EWTN if Mother Angelica hadn't had her stroke. He would have either been ignored as being unworthy of notice or slain with a few well-put comments.
I think you are correct. Some of the conservative Catholic writers who I would normally have no problem with have jumped onto the "I am holier than thou band-wagon" and use their traditionalism as a hammer on others.
I'm a semi-traditionalist Catholic (attend the Tridentine Mass twice a month and the Novus Ordo every Sunday as I sing in two choirs) and I know exactly what you mean.
Furthermore, this article cites no instance of wrong on the part of EWTN; it makes accusations but doesn't back them up with facts.
Christopher Ferrara bumpus ad summum
Do you (or anyone else) know if there are Fr Corapi transcripts online? I can't seem to find any.
I just received the following from Michael J W via FreepMail:
Respectfully, as one who has read the book,..EWTN - A Network Gone Wrong by Ferrara and also having read the posted criticisms on Free Republic it seems that those criticizing the Ferrara book should read it prior to discounting it. It is written in a most fair manner and documents exactly each of it's assertions. It never casts blankets of unsubstantiated doubt but rather cites verifiable specifics, quotations, Infallible Dogma and direct transcriptions of programming in order to support its assertions. I ask,..Why do those quick to criticize this book have little interest in reading it or investigating its claims and are instead content to dismiss it based on the scant and unsubstantiated reply from Fr. Trigilio and others who fail to address it's most well documented assertions. With all respect to Fr Trigilio, I would ask him to refute Ferraras claims with what the church and Popes have pronounced infallibly rather than with what modern thought may have interpreted these infallible and unchangable truths to mean in our day. Truth does not change, can not contradict itself and is not subject to revision. The Holy Spirit does not change His Mind and is never in error.
The call for mindless obedience by Fr Trigilio inadvertantly but sadly casts dispersions on the many Saints and Doctors of the Church who in history have had the bravery and commitment to Infallible Dogma to correct the faithfull, Priests, religious and even Popes when they were in error or danger of contradicting or trying to change the faith or Dogma. If one feels inclined to criticize this thoughtfull book please address it's documented claims point by point with the same documentation and infallible doctrine as the book does to support its claims. The book should be read, the Truths it proposes are not those of the author or of his opinion but are instead relying on the Infallible Pronoucements of the Popes of 2000 years under the guidence of the Holy Spirit. I ask,..What Ex Cathedra infallible truths does Fr. Trigilio use to support his criticism of the book ? In Christ, Michael J W
While I admit that I have not yet read the book in question, I point out once again that there are no specific incidents of EWTN's wrongdoing mentioned either by the article or by Michael J W.
I recieved this e-mail as well and I began a response and kept coming up against the same issue as you mention here. Perhaps I have a "rosey" view of manners but it seems to me if you are going to dish out this level of accusation you darn well ought to back it up with at least one example. Its so negative (the title alone), that it turns me away from reading the book. Why? Because it sounds like so many other mean-spirited accusations I've heard coming from both conservatives and liberals or anyone with an axe to grind.
I have concerns about some of the stuff I've seen on EWTN and, going back to the 1980s! But, overall I think the network is very good and I am just tired of seeing Catholics rend each other over human error or ignorance. Yes, EWTN has a responsibility to broadcast accurate Catholic teaching and to avoid Enthusiams of all sorts, including Mr. Ferrara's brand. However, I think I will read this book. I'm sure some of my friends will have purchased it and will let me borrow a copy.
Precisely. I am sure that EWTN is not perfect (what human endeavor is?) but without any facts (and I still have yet to read any posts that provide them) to back these accusations up, this review reads like a New York Slimes book review of Treason, Slander or How To Talk To A Liberal (If You Must); lots of noise and no substance.
I am currently reading this book. Ferrara critiques EWTN in a spirit of charity, just as St. Paul corrected St. Peter. No one says that St. Paul thought he was superior to the first Pope do they? Ferrara does not offer rhetoric on the novelties promoted by EWTN; he provides infallible Church statements from various Popes and councils. Of course, no one can argue against infallible Church statements, so they attack the messenger. The Blessed Virgin Mary predicted these sorrowful times at LaSalette and Fatima, and Pope St. Pius X's encyclical, "On Modernism" provides a prophetic view of the strategy of those who would attmpt to destroy the Church. Once you understand Modernism, then the scales fall from your eyes, and you understand how the wolves confuse the sheep by placing infallible doctrine beside novelty. Read the book before you condemn it.
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