USCCB Bullies Attack Real Catholic TV

When I saw the statement about Real Catholic TV not being "approved" for World Youth Day I was not surprised at all. Of course the liberal bureaucrats at the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) don't approve. Faithful Catholics rock their dissident Catholic boat.
Look at the way they treat those who question grants issued by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) to groups in bed with Planned Parenthood. Look at the high level officials who contribute to pro-abortion democrats, sit on the boards of pro-abortion organizations, and help to advance the culture of death. No wonder they went after hard-hitting, no apologies Real Catholic TV.

If you haven't seen the Madrid statement (no doubt written by a flunky at the USCCB) here is is. I found this part particularly interesting:

Participants in the World Youth Day 2011 Cultural Program must be recognized and endorsed by the Bishops and Episcopal Conferences of their respective countries. Participants were selected for Cultural program by the World Youth Day organization in close collaboration with the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Those groups participating in the World Youth Day 2011 Cultural Festival have been selected because, through their various activities, they promote the authentic teaching and unity of the Roman Catholic Church and have been endorsed by their local Bishop and Espiscopal conference. Michael Voris, "Real Catholic TV" and "No Bull in Madrid" did not receive such endorsement from their Bishop or Episcopal Conference.

This statement clearly implies that Real Catholic TV does not merit the approval of the "Episcopal Conference" which is the USCCB. The implication is that they do not stand for the "authentic teaching and unity" of the Church. What a joke from the USCCB with their history of scheduling dissenters for various meetings of their departments and even for the bishops themselves.

The USCCB has a record of persecuting orthodox Catholics. I've prayed the rosary often outside the November meeting of the U.S. bishops in both Washington, D.C. when they met on Capitol Hill and in Baltimore near Harbor Place. Several years we held signs begging the bishops to withhold Communion from pro-abortion politicians. The response of the bureaucracy one year was to get a horse-drawn carriage up on the sidewalk to block us while the bishops were boarding the buses to go to the opening Mass at the Basilica. While clearly wanting to keep us as far away from the bishops as possible, they weren't altogether successful. Several bishops, including Archbishop Chaput, thanked us for being there.

Several years ago, the Catholic Media Coalition of which I'm president, rented a hospitality suite at the Baltimore hotel and met with about a dozen bishops during the four day meeting. We attempted to get press credentials representing The Wanderer. Initially the press office said yes and told us to pick up our credentials the next morning. When we arrived, they informed us they had changed their mind because we were "lobbyists." Their proof was the fact that we passed out invitations (in the lobby) for bishops to visit the suite. When we politely and calmly questioned their decision, they threatened us with arrest and ordered us out of the area. That is the m.o. of the USCCB bullies whose actions against Real Catholic TV are predictable and petty. As for their deep concern about the "authentic faith and unity" of the Church, there's little evidence of that among some high level bureaucrats at the USCCB. Study the material at Reform CCHD Now and Stephanie Block's work at SperoForum for some eye-opening (and sad) revelations about the bishops' bureaucracy. Of particular interest is her article on John Carr.

The USCCB targeting of Real Catholic TV is actually an encouraging development as far as I'm concerned. The fact that the USCCB Goliath singled out this little media David for persecution illustrates the very real impact Voris and his organization are having on liberal Catholics whose grip on the Church bureaucracy is slipping. So go fight the bull in Madrid, Mike. And keep that red cape close by as a sign of your fidelity to the Holy Spirit and Holy Mother Church. And all of us faithful Catholic stay-at-homes will be praying you touch many hearts!

For more on Real Catholic TV at World Youth Day visit No Bull in Madrid.