Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki blesses the new studio of Catholic TV station EWTN.TV in Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 30, 2023. / Credit: EWTN
CNA Newsroom, Aug 31, 2023 / 12:28 pm (CNA).
Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 30 emphasized the importance of the Catholic television network EWTN.TV when he celebrated holy Mass with the station’s staff and blessed the newly equipped studio in Cologne.
Woelki emphasized the far-reaching importance of EWTN, not only for those who work there but also for the viewers whose faith is strengthened by the broadcasts.
“Time and again, I hear how grateful people are for the daily broadcasts of holy Mass,” Woelki said, according to CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner. EWTN is the parent company of CNA.
The cardinal’s homily, which commemorated St. Heribert, archbishop of Cologne from 999 to 1021, focused on the vision of a united, peaceful, and free Europe.
“EWTN.TV makes an important contribution to the new evangelization and the promotion of the Christian perspective in Europe,” the German prelate noted.
The Catholic television network EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) was founded in 1981 by Poor Clare Mother Angelica in Birmingham, Alabama. With a starting capital of just $200 and a garage as its first studio, the network has grown into a worldwide media apostolate that now reaches more than 350 million homes. Since 2000, EWTN has also been broadcasting from Germany and is funded by donations.
The station focuses on broadcasting worship services, proclamations of faith, and catechetical programs. Most recently, EWTN provided extensive coverage of World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, which took place Aug. 1–6. In addition to broadcasting via satellite, cable, and internet, the network also operates social media channels and broadcasts numerous special programs via YouTube.