Tell EWTNNo more anti-Francis misinformation

Posted: Oct. 13, 2023

The Catholic synod has begun. This could be Pope Francis's defining legacy: A robust, diverse, global discussion about the future of the church where it's not just cardinals and bishops who talk, listen, and vote but women and laypeople too.

Yet despite the global enthusiasm, EWTN -- the Fox News of religious broadcasting -- is waging a dangerous campaign to undermine Pope Francis and the inclusive synod.

These meetings are a return to a tradition from the earliest centuries of Christianity, but infamous anti-Francis EWTN personalities like Raymond Arroyo and Fr. Gerald Murray are calling the process a "hostile takeover" of the Catholic Church, "the synod on homosexuality," and a "moment of crisis" for Christianity.

Fact-based religion journalists are appalled. "It's a real misinformation, bordering on disinformation, campaign," Fordham's David Gibson told the National Catholic Reporter.

We know why the Catholic far-right spreads this misinformation: to divide Catholics and derail the synod's efforts to build a more inclusive, loving, and pastoral church. We won't stand for it. Together, let's show EWTN that a nationwide movement of Catholics and other Christians embrace truth and inclusion -- and that we reject the anti-Francis misinformation campaign.

Sign the petition:

To EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael Warsaw:

As fellow Catholics and ecumenical allies who value truth, love, dignity, inclusivity, and a pastoral church, we are outraged at the explicit anti-Francis sentiment displayed in EWTN's coverage of the ongoing synod.

From allowing hosts like Raymond Arroyo to accuse the pope of engineering a "hostile takeover" to encouraging guests like Cardinal Müller to violate the confidentiality of the synod before it concludes, your network's failure to cover this event in a balanced, factual way is part of a pattern, not a one-time accident, and is thus an egregious lapse in journalism ethics.

EWTN's apparent goals of furthering divide in the Catholic Church and threatening an important gathering on the Church's future are irresponsible, and out of line with church teachings and Scripture. We call on you to cover Pope Francis and the synod with honesty and respect, and to acknowledge the synodal process's ancient legacy as a key Church tradition.

Thank you.

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