EWTN Disappoints

Update:  For those interersted, Commonweal has created a transcript of the remarks under question.

Many have been outraged at Father Sirico of the infamous Acton Institute giving his blessing to Torture on EWTN.  (See the 7:55 mark for the remarks on torture, euphemistically called enhanced interogation.)  The 9:45 mark features joking about waterboarding.  We also learn that one must be a pacifist to oppose “enhanced interrogation” techniques.

EWTN’s website is a mixed bag on this issue.  Here, we see torture improperly addressed.

First of all, the first quote from the Catechism refers to those who perpetrate crime by kidnapping or hostage taking and then torture their victims. Second, I am not certain, but it occurs to me that the enemies of the state, or people who have already perpetrated heinous crimes against the innocent, are already people who are despicable, so if they refuse to cooperate with a just government, is torturing them a sin? I cannot answer that, but it is clear that without all the facts, nobody can suggest that torture is intrinsically evil.

Here, EWTN addresses it properly more properly.  I would read the which clause as descriptively rather than restrictively.

David, Torture which uses physical or moral violence to extract confessions,to punish the guilty, frighten opponents, or to satisfy hatred is contrary to the respect for a person and for human dignity, and is a sin against the 5th. Commandment.

I do not receive EWTN, so I cannot offer comprehensive commentary on their programming.  I am apprehensive of people treating EWTN as an alternative magisterium.