EWTN President Michael Warsaw has announced that Fr. Benedict Groeschel will no longer be the host of one of the Catholic TV network’s flagship programs, “Sunday Night Prime.” The announcement comes after the publication—and then the retraction—of an interview Fr. Groeschel gave to the National Catholic Register that included widely criticized remarks about the sexual abuse of children (the controversial statements, as well as apologies from the Register, Fr. Groeschel’s religious community, and Fr. Groeschel himself, can be read here).
From Catholic News Agency:
Fr. Groeschel decided to step down from the program after consulting with EWTN and with his religious community, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Warsaw said.
…
Warsaw said the comments at the EWTN-owned National Catholic Register “should never have been published” and “in no way” reflect the views of the Register or EWTN.
“It should have been obvious to the editor that Father Benedict’s physicalcondition and mental clarity have deteriorated and that the comments were completely inconsistent with his life’s work and witness,” the EWTN president said. “We apologize that these remarks were published and ask for forgiveness for this error.”
EWTN’s Sunday Night Prime program will continue with other Franciscan Friars of the Renewal serving as hosts.
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