EWTN, once 'the work of the devil,' now gets blessing from pope | National Catholic Reporter

The studios of Eternal Word TV Network

Irondale, Alabama

EWTN, once 'the work of the devil,' now gets blessing from pope | National Catholic Reporter

By Thomas Reese, S.J.

"The work of the devil" is how two years ago Pope Francis labeled EWTN, the Eternal Word Television Network, a Catholic media empire known for its conservative programming. More recently, instead of sending in an exorcist, he blessed a movie produced by EWTN of Ireland.

While not directly mentioning EWTN, the pope said at a 2021 meeting with Jesuits in Slovakia, "There is, for example, a large Catholic television channel that has no hesitation in continually speaking ill of the pope." He acknowledged, "I personally deserve attacks and insults because I am a sinner, but the church does not deserve them. They are the work of the devil." Everyone knew he was speaking of EWTN.

EWTN was founded in 1981 by Mother Angelica, the most successful Catholic communicator since Bishop Fulton Sheen was a national phenomenon on radio in the 1930s and 1940s and on television in the 1950s and 1960s.***The pious programming includes broadcasting the Mass, Benediction, Stations of the Cross, lives of the saints, lectures, recitation of the rosary and other prayers. Let me be clear: I am not objecting to any of this, although much of it is pre-Vatican II piety. Supporters of the traditional Latin Mass have also appeared on the network.

Noteworthy, however, is what is missing. There is no coverage of the social justice concerns of the church, such as racism, inequality or global warming. Abortion and gender issues are the only social issues on EWTN's radar.

Its news programming is accused of having a Republican tilt, leading some of its critics to refer to it as the Fox News of Catholicism. Raymond Arroyo, who hosts EWTN's "The World Over," appears frequently on Fox News. Arroyo spends much of his program attacking Democrats and the "woke" elites. He is also critical of Pope Francis and has hosted a "papal posse" of fellow detractors.***

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