https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/12/03/cardinal-napier-denounces-raymond-arroyo/ Cardinal Napier denounces Raymond Arroyo Nick Hallett 3 December, 2018 Cardinal Wilfrid F. Napier (CNS photo/Paul Haring) The cardinal compared the World Over host to 'Ian Paisley and his ilk' Cardinal Wilfrid Napier has denounced Catholic broadcaster Raymond Arroyo, comparing him to Ulster Protestant leader Ian Paisley. In a tweet, the cardinal said Arroyo’s show The World Over was like a “throwback to the 1960’s & 70’s” when radical Protestants “fulminated against [the] Catholic Faith in general, & [the] Pope in particular!” Raymond Arroyo has achieved prominence with his weekly EWTN talk show, which takes a largely conservative line and has been critical of Pope Francis and his allies. His interview with Bishop Martin Holley, who was removed from the Diocese of Memphis earlier this year, was criticised by another bishop, who described the show as “deplorable” and “fake news”. Cardinal Napier’s comparison of Arroyo with former Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley is particularly severe. Paisley founded and led Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, and also led the fundamentalist Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. Throughout the Troubles he was regarded as a firebrand, both politically and theologically. In 1988, he interrupted a speech by Pope John Paul II in the European Parliament, denouncing him as the “Antichrist”. He had previously criticised the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret for meeting Pope John XXIII in 1958, saying they had committed “spiritual fornication and adultery” by meeting the Pope. He later mellowed in his rhetoric, expressing sympathy for Catholics at the death of Pope John Paul II.
View image on Twitter Raymond Arroyo ✔ @RaymondArroyo “It’s your obligation to speak the truth, and everyone can either take it or leave it. But truth must be in us. We live in such a poverty of truth today.” - Mother Angelica (to me many years ago.)
I was going to read Cardinal Napier's remarks and respond but I suddenly realised I can't. What the Cardinal did was simply name calling and in order to respond I would have to get down their in the gutter with him and I'm not about to do that. Anyway here is a clip of the Reverend Ian Paisley in his day.
It reminds me of being back at school in my early teens. We were so very, very nasty to each other. But to see a grown man and a Cardinal to boot doing this....well. But it occurs to me; why is he doing this? This is an internal matter for the Church in the USA to resolve, not someone from South Africa. Was it a put up job? My guess would be a lot of USA Bishops would be annoyed at this.
I think we all need to pray for Raymond Arroyo. I know I have never thought of that before, but he must be under tremendous spiritual attack. Raymond, Mother Angelica and EWTN are a great gift from Heaven right now. Imagine how different things would be if the USCCB had been able to wrest control of EWTN from Mother back in the 80's when they tried. Thank goodness for her foresight.
It's simply weird. Cringe-worthy. Funny thing is that everything about Raymond Arroyo is the polar opposite of Paisley. Cardinal Napier's attack on Arroyo is more Paisley's style. Perhaps Cardinal Napier is acting as a mouthpiece for some US Bishops who wouldn't dare openly attack Arroyo. Then again, he's not the first of the Pope's favourites to have attacked Arroyo. Notice they all attack the man, without providing any evidence to justify their attacks. Then again, McCarrick's involvement with that US charity entailed travel to countries where they funded projects. Did he travel to South Africa? Was he friends with Cardinal Napier? Did he have contact with or recruit seminarians from South Africa? I wonder will EWTN seek a retraction and apology from the Cardinal. They should. In the absence of an apology, they would be justified in calling for his resignation. Best to pray for them all. May the Lord have mercy on Paisley's soul. And may the Lord cleanse His Church of bad prelates.
'Cardinal Napier's attack on Arroyo is more Paisley's style.' I had exactly the same thought. It reminds me of something insightful my Spiritual Director said to me one time. That the faults we find most in other people are the faults we find most in ourselves. A case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Yes I admire Raymond Arroyo so much for his professionalism and aplomb through all this. I am beginning to suspect a profound depth of spirituality. His spiritual mother would be so proud. Is , I am sure, so proud looking down from heaven.
