CNA Staff, Mar 28, 2020 / 07:00 am (CNA).- The chairman and CEO of EWTN said Thursday that the media network will remain open and on the air during the coronavirus pandemic. In a March 26 interview, EWTN’s Michael Warsaw said that the organization’s ministry is more urgent than ever.
“I think there’s so much anxiety. There’s so much fear. People feel untethered. And I think one of the things that EWTN provides is a place that people can turn to ground themselves, to connect themselves with the faith and really to find reassurance that God is there for them in this really difficult time,” Warsaw said on EWTN News Nightly.
Warsaw stressed that although the global pandemic has affected the lives of everyone, including EWTN employees, policies are in place to ensure that news and catechetical output will continue. He said that as the virus spread from the Asia-Pacific region, through Europe – and especially Italy – before arriving in the United States, the global media group adapted to the changing circumstances.
“Most of our employees are working remotely. And we have essential staff who are still on duty in their posts in Irondale and here in Washington and elsewhere,” Warsaw said. “And we’re certainly prepared if we need to do more restrictions.”
“The bottom line of that is that we will continue to air our channels. We will continue to produce programming, particularly the Mass, news, other key programming that will continue, and we’re prepared for that to continue.”
Warsaw stressed that, in addition to its news outlets, EWTN’s pastoral and catechetical content is an important resource for Catholics, and that with shelter-in-place orders active in many parts of the United States and the world, it is vital to serve as a link with the Church and with the wider communion of the faithful.
In response to the coronavirus, all Latin rite dioceses in the United States have suspended public Masses, with many bishops ordering the total closure of church buildings. Bishops have encouraged Catholic to watch livestreamed liturgies, and to use the media of television, radio, and the internet to foster prayer and spiritual communion. In these circumstances, Warsaw said, many Catholics have told him that EWTN’s output serves as a “lifeline.”
“One of the things that I think we’ve heard so much about is, with all of the churches closed and the inability of people not just in this country, but globally, really to be able to attend Mass on Sunday, people tying into our Mass and participating remotely in our Mass, has been really a lifeline for many people to the practice of their faith, the ability to watch the Mass on EWTN, both on our linear channels, but also online on EWTN.com,” Warsaw said.
“From its founding, Mother Angelica always wanted EWTN and its audience to be a family. And I think in this time and in this moment we are very much a family for one another,” he added.
During the interview, Warsaw encouraged “three things that our EWTN family can do” together.
“One is, certainly, pray. We need to pray for one another. Pray for the network, as we pray for them. I think, secondly, share what they have in the gift of EWTN. This is a great opportunity to evangelize. If people are benefiting by EWTN, they need to share that with their friends, share that with their family. That’s a very effective way of helping others and evangelizing in this moment.”
Third, Warsaw said, “keep us between your gas and electric bill, as Mother Angelica would always say.”
“It’s very important that we have the resources to be able to continue our mission and to continue to execute our mission to a much, much larger audience of people that are turning to us at this time.”
“Financial support is critical for us in this moment as well,” Warsaw said. “And we’re always obviously very grateful to our EWTN family for that.”
“So many people have commented how much that has meant to them and how meaningful that has been to them — to be able to have that opportunity to pray and to know that when they are praying, when they are participating in and watching, that they’re doing so with people all over the world who are part of that EWTN family.”
Warsaw said that, at a time when so many are looking for meaning and answers in the face of a pandemic, EWTN is “really trying to be a resource for people, and to give people hope, and to remind people that in this moment, what’s most important is that we need to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.”
“They’re looking for hope and they’re looking for answers. And I think them coming to EWTN is a beautiful thing and a way for them to find those answers and to find that hope that they’re looking for,” he said.
EWTN Global Catholic Network is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN’s 11 global TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 300 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories.
EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 500 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; one of the largest Catholic websites in the U.S.; electronic and print news services, including Catholic News Agency, The National Catholic Register newspaper, and several global news wire services; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division.
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This Peruvian nativity scene offends less than 2020’s futuristic space odyssey. Its bright colors and more realistic persons please the aesthetic sense more readily. HOWEVER, the traditional creche with middle-eastern historic time/place depictions of shepherds, sheep, wise men from the East, and an angel of God are not present at the Peruvian nativity scene.
There were certainly no llamas in Palestine in 0 AD. The newborn was wrapped in swaddling, not in a chumpi. The Peruvian flag surely did not cover the backs of the camels travelling with the wise men.
To re-create a nativity scene so it becomes something other than even the creche St. Francis designed? Herexy. Proving only that this Vatican has no problem promulgating alternative versions of reality, tradition, and history.
What’s next? Revision of the Bible??
I agree with you 100% @meiron
Clearly you have not studied biblical exegesis! The power of this nativity is once again a reminder that Christ came for all
And how does the traditional nativity violate your modern ‘exegesis’ in that it explicitly denies Christ came for all especially with the angelic proclamation with ‘peace and goodwill towards all men’?
You obviously are not interested in reading or care to apply the slightest thought and consideration to his post. You’re just using it as an opportunity to V.S.
I understand the need for Catholic events to be Catholic – universal – because this is what the Church really is. However, certain historical events like the birth of our Lord and his Crucifixion, should not have the facts politicized.
I prefer the old Nativity scene which beautifully tells the story of the first Christmas. Yes, the three Kings or wise men did not come till later, but they are an intimate part of the gospel stories.
Christmas and the Crucifixion are solely about Jesus. Let us keep it that way.