Letters

Radio apostolate (letter)

Maureen Federico

Contents - Jun 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Corpus Christi: at the core of the Faith - Michael Gilchrist Liturgy: New English Missal: Archbishop Pell to chair international Vox Clara committee - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Neocatechumenal Way setting up its second Australian seminary - Richard Egan Sydney initiative to strengthen Catholic influence at university - Robert Haddad A post-1968 Catholic's view of R.E.: 'My generation was shortchanged' - Mark Power Moral leadership of American hierarchy under scrutiny at Rome meeting - Philip Lawler Following our baptismal calling takes courage - Chrism Mass homily - Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett How John Paul II's 'new springtime' came to an American parish - Elizabeth A. Wittman Pope John Paul II on Catholic Action (from Ecclesia in Oceania) - Pope John Paul II Letters: IVF expansion (letter) - Brian A. Coman Letters: Father Fessio (letter) - P.A. McKenna Letters: An exemplary priest (letter) - John Monaghan Letters: Heroic fantasy (letter) - Hal G.P. Colebatch Events: Talks on the Faith at Thomas More Centre - AD2000 Letters: Good example (letter) - Paul Foster Letters: Radio apostolate (letter) - Maureen Federico Letters: Inclusive language (letter) - George F. Simpson Letters: Accuracy (letter) - Fr John Crothers PP Letters: Excellent edition (letter) - Anne Boyce Letters: Ambiguities (letter) - Valentine Gallagher Letters: Latin Course (letter) - Rev V.I. Falconer SJ Letters: (letter) Letters: Latin Masses in Victoria (letter) - William Campbell Books: 'Right And Reason: Ethics in theory and practice', by Fr Austin Fagothey SJ - Michael Casanova (reviewer) Books: 'Socrates Meets Jesus', by Peter Kreeft - Arthur N. Ballingall (reviewer) Books: The Travels of Friar Odoric, 14th Century journal of Blessed Odoric of Pordenone - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: A reason for mercy: healing post-abortion trauma - Anne R. Lastman

I read with interest a letter from Catholic Broadcasting Ltd expressing disappointment that it was not granted a community radio licence among the recent allocations granted to Kooris, students and gays.

This should not surprise anyone as Christianity lacks the usual trendy appeal, and the aforementioned groups constantly hassle every avenue to get into the media.

Catholics do not seem to be so keen. Apart from the one hour we broadcast from Peninsula Radio on Sunday at 8am (and have been doing so for the past 12 years), I don't know of any other consistent program available.

I must admit I viewed the application with some unease as all sorts of groups consider they are under the Catholic banner: women who want to be priests, gays who want "rights" contrary to Church teaching, self-styled seers claiming all sorts of phenomena without Church approval, anti-Pope factions, disaffected nuns allegedly dabbling in witchcraft, etc.

Owning a commercial licence is a vastly different situation from community radio, which by its very nature and purpose is for all shades of the spectrum. It involves a paid manager, often extra staff, a vast number of dedicated presenters manning the station 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.

The "quality" factor is only up to the timbre of the individual voice, personality and individual integrity of the presenter, material being used, and also that litigation would not ensue from what is being said.

Talk-back radio (which I would not even contemplate) is a potentially hazardous factor, as only a competent, quick-thinking theologian or professional in the field of discussion could handle this one; also, another person must handle the phone first and discern the questions being raised.

However, there is always a second thought to be had. Why not have individual bona fide Catholics come forward, and, after seeking their bishop's approval of the intended format, present themselves to their local community station, get involved, and then wait in turn for a time-slot, any time-slot?

This is a very worthwhile mission and can be done with sincerity and a sensible approach. I can be contacted at the Christian Presenters Group, 3RPP 98.7FM, Mooroduc Road, Mooroduc 3933, tel 9787-6540.

MAUREEN FEDERICO
Frankston, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 5 (June 2002), p. 15