The Crescat
… From the Archdiocese of Detroit,
“The Church encourages the Christian faithful to promote or sustain a variety of apostolic undertakings but, nevertheless, prohibits any such undertaking from claiming the name Catholic without the consent of the competent ecclesiastical authority (see canon 216 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law). For some time, the Archdiocese of Detroit has been in communication with Mr. Michael Voris and his media partner at Real Catholic TV regarding their prominent use of the word “Catholic” in identifying and promoting their public activities disseminated from the enterprise’s production facility in Ferndale, Michigan. The Archdiocese has informed Mr. Voris and Real Catholic TV, RealCatholicTV.com, that it does not regard them as being authorized to use the word “Catholic” to identify or promote their public activities. Questions about this matter may be directed to the Archdiocese of Detroit, Department of Communications.”
Think what you will of Voris but I find this action by the Archdiocese a bit puzzling. I mean, really. Of all the organizations and people that run around speaking for The Church is it necessary to target RealCatholicTV.com and Mr. Voris’s activities?
Yes, RealCatholicTV can be a bit controversial but are they a source of scandal? Well there was that one time, but it had absolutely nothing to do with the organization and the media content it distributes. Correct me if I’m wrong, but to my knowledge and to date RealCatholicTV.com has never made any outright false and fabricated claims or accusations against the The Church and Her members and Her clergy.
UPDATED 12/24/11: Marc Brammer, owner of RealCatholicTV.com responds to the Archdiocese of Detroit’s request.
“Brammer told LifeSiteNews, “I own RealCatholicTV.com. I contracted with Michael Voris to produce video content for that website and I pay him for it. It is a business relationship between me and Michael. If all of a sudden now there’s this tussle over the use of the word ‘Catholic’ I’ll deal with it through competent ecclesial authority.”
Brammer noted that he had received a letter from the Archdiocese of Detroit acknowledging him as the owner of the website. He responded to that letter with a request for a meeting with the Archdiocese. He received no response. Brammer has not been asked by his bishop, Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop Kevin Rhoades to cease using the word Catholic.
A LifeSiteNews request for an interview with the Archdiocese of Detroit was not returned, and the voice message noted that the office was on holiday till after Christmas. ”
I’ve heard, in fact, that Brammer has made seven requests to the Archdiocese of Detroit to meet with them regarding their request to cease using “Catholic”. After that many requests being closed for the holiday weekend seems hardly the excuse. I would like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt but when Detroit can find time to meet with those elephant people it does make their actions seem rather odd and suspect.
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