Praying in reparation #rte

On New Year's Eve, as the world prepared to bid goodbye to a very difficult year of 2020, in Ireland, many sat down in the comfort of their homes to watch some TV, hoping for something uplifting, hope-filled, positive to welcome in 2021. However, our national broadcaster RTE decided, once more, to reduce to 'comedy' our faith as Catholics and as Christians with a blasphemous clip about God and the Blessed Mother. It was deemed as satirical to accuse 'God of raping a migrant girl (Mary).'

This clip made little of our faith, our beliefs, of Christmas, of the solemn feast of Mary, Mother of God. Equally importantly, it made little of rape, with little thought for women and men who have been through this horrific ordeal.  It made little of migrants who may have had to flee their homelands and often put themselves in dangerous situations where they risked being trafficked or used. The skit was supposed to be a parody but it shone a light once more on how our national broadcaster RTE thinks they can get away with such abject blasphemy and disrespect towards Christians, in particular Catholics.

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland spoke out saying: " To broadcast such a deeply offensive clip about God and Our Blessed Mother during the Christmas season on RTE and on the eve of the Solemn Feast of Mary, Mother of God, is insulting to all Catholics and Christians,” Dr Martin said. "I am shocked that producer/editor of 'NYE Countdown Show'… didn’t realise how deeply offensive was a mocking 'news report' accusing God of rape & reporting his imprisonment. This outrageous clip should be removed immediately & denounced by all people of goodwill.”

RTE did offer somewhat of a weak apology to 'those offended' but the clip remains online on their RTE Player.  As Christians, we can be pro-active about this. Yes, please pray but I encourage you to sign the petition to remove the clip. You can sign the online petition here or/and email RTE at complaints@rte.ie or write to them at RTE Head Office, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. 

The prologue of St. John's Gospel which we read and have read over the Christmas octave reminds us that light and darkness, good and evil, truth and lies are constantly at battle. But the light will shine, goodness will prevail and the truth will win!  

Here below is an prayer of offering for the media including some intercessions of reparation which you may wish to pray especially for RTE. 

"Father, in union with all those celebrating the Eucharist throughout the world, I wish to unite myself with the heart and intentions of your beloved son Jesus who offered his life for our salvation.

-          -That the media may always be used to support the good of each person of the common good; to uplift the dignity of every human person, especially those who are poor and most vulnerable; to nurture marriage and family life; to bring about solidarity, peace, greater justice, and equality for all people; and to build respect for the gifts of God's creation;

 -           In reparation for the errors and scandals spread throughout the world through the misuse of the media;

-           -To call down your mercy upon those who have been deceived or manipulated by the misuse of the media and led away from your fatherly love;

 -   For the conversion of those who have spread error, violence, disregard for the dignity of the person by wrongly using the media and rejecting the teaching of Christ and his Church;

 -          That we may follow Christ alone whom you, Father, in your boundless love, sent into the world, saying, "This is my beloved Son, listen to Him";

 -          To acknowledge and to make known that Jesus alone, the Word Incarnate, is the perfect Teacher, the trustworthy way who leads to knowledge of you, Father, and to a participation in your very life; 

-         - That in the Church the number of priests, religious, and people who are dedicated as apostles of the media will increase the number and grow in holiness, making resound throughout the world the message of salvation;

 -          That all those who work in the media (writers, artists, directors, editors, technicians, producers, advertisers and distributors) may grow in wisdom and uprightness, living and spreading worthy human and Christian values;

 -          That the undertakings of Catholics in all forms of media may continually increase, so that by more effectively promoting genuine human and Christian values, they will silence the voices that spread error and evil;

 -          That well aware of our inadequacy and unworthiness, we may recognize our need to draw near the font of life with great humility and trust and be nourished by your word, Father, and with the Body of Christ, invoking light, love and mercy for all men and women." 

 (Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family)