This Catholic Blogger Has Opened Up a Can of Worms about EWTN

I love Father Z over at What Does The Prayer Really Say? . He is the hero to many that are what is labeled the "Traditionalist" part of the Catholic Church. I also like him because he manages to also in his way to control some of the bad excesses of that group. I say "they" even though I am sympathetic to many of their concerns.

EWTN on September 14 , I think those following the "latin" Mass" issues realize the significance of that date, will be having a live Mass that will be of the extraordinary form. I have noticed that has been met with much glee across the Catholic blogsphere.

EWTN is of course the major Catholic network started by Mother Angelica in Alabama of all places, IT should be remembered it also has a vast shortwave network too. EWTN is pretty much the global face of Catholic TV media. However it has it critics. People say that it ignores Catholic Social Justice Issues. Another group of "liberal" Catholics" hate that it is so Orthodox. However there are a group of "conservative/Traditionalist Catholics that think they are down right modernist. As to that last group I think they are all wet.

EWTN is a GODSEND and people should wonder where we would be without it. For many Catholics through their TV sets in the privacy of their homes they realized that the Orthodox faith was still fighting and very much alive. Depending on what Diocese you lived in that was indeed a blessing.

I noted that this widely read Catholic UK blog had a very good practical viewpoint on this when he said in part a few days ago:
One of the effects of the Motu Proprio might be a "joining of the ways", a cessation of hostilities between the "neo-orthodox" and the "traditionalists". I very much hope so because there is so much good on both sides of this particular liturgical debate. The joining of forces in the interest of orthodoxy, reverent liturgy, and a solid spiritual life could be of incalculable value in the genuine reform of the Church. EWTN is giving a very good example which others may be inspired to follow.

I so agree. For instance I take communion of the tongue. I wish everyone did. I wished everyone would kneel at communion too. However, I have no interest in declaring war on Orthodox Catholics that take it in the hand and battling on another million other side issues. Discussion is fine but sometimes we need ot see the forest for the trees

Now Father Z is often in Rome and actually has a pretty busy job. Therefore, I am not shocked that at the Vatican he is not watching EWTN 24/7. I mean goodness you are in Rome so the need is not there. So I do think he is being honest here about not knowing much about their programming. However I was surprised that on his blog he has a thread called EWTN: great or squishy? I am also surprised he opened that up to comments. Normally he can detect when certain people in their ZEAL might say something not appropriate and shut the comments off.

I will state this that the comments so far have been quite good and not as harsh as I feared. It perhaps it shows that the complaints against EWTN from this segment of the Catholic faithful are indeed a minority. I will again echo the thoughts from the blog above. when he said again:

This is very encouraging and joyful news. EWTN has always shown celebrations of the newer rite of Mass celebrated in Latin with dignity and reverence. They have come under fire in some quarters for not promoting the Classical Rite.By screening the older form of the Mass on the date of the promulgation of Summorum Pontificum, I think they have shown a certain humility in the face of Pope Benedict's generous initiative. I also celebrated only the Novus Ordo for many years and tended not to get involved in circles where the Classical rite was celebrated.In Ireland, the Treaty with the British and the subsequent Civil War in Ireland was referred to as "The Parting of the Ways". Former friends and comrades in arms found themselves on opposite sides.

One of the effects of the Motu Proprio might be a "joining of the ways", a cessation of hostilities between the "neo-orthodox" and the "traditionalists". I very much hope so because there is so much good on both sides of this particular liturgical debate. The joining of forces in the interest of orthodoxy, reverent liturgy, and a solid spiritual life could be of incalculable value in the genuine reform of the Church. EWTN is giving a very good example which others may be inspired to follow.

Amen