March 11, 2009

Catholics must know faith to fight cultural war

By Donna Jorgenson Farrell

Fighting the war to restore morality in our culture will require all Catholics to thoroughly know their faith and to publicly speak against immorality, Catholic Answers apologist Tim Staples told a group of 250 people March 6.

Staples’ evening talk was sponsored by the Catholic Radio Network to build awareness and raise money for its newest station, KPIO-1570 AM in Loveland/Denver.

The apologist said that stations in the Catholic Radio Network, including KPIO and KFEL-970 AM in Pueblo/Colorado Springs, provide educational programming to equip the faithful to effect change in the culture.

“We need to teach people who they are and where they come from,” Staples said. 

“The greatest men and women in the last 2,000 years have been in the Catholic Church,” he continued, adding that being imprinted with Catholic history is essential to the task of fighting the cultural war.

The Catholic Radio Network is affiliated with EWTN Radio and carries much of their programming, but president Jim O’Laughlin said that the local affiliates will also provide a weekly hour-long program by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., and will air announcements of local parish events at no cost.  He asked Catholics for their prayers as well as financial support to continue programming that educates Catholics about how to be faithful witnesses in our society and also educates non-Catholics about the faith.

“Do our actions witness to our faith in every aspect of our lives?” Archbishop Chaput asked the audience in his opening remarks.  He said that while 51 percent of Catholics are fervent and faithful, the other 49 percent are underdeveloped or disengaged.

The archbishop said that Catholic radio presents a new opportunity to strengthen our faith and reach out to strengthen the faith of others. 

“We need to reach that lukewarm 49 percent,” he said.

O’Laughlin told the gathering at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada about one listener who called the affiliate in Kansas City and said that he had been away from the Catholic Church for 35 years. 

“I found your station by accident,” the caller said. “I’ve been listening all day, and I’m coming back.”

Many people find the Catholic stations by accident, O’Laughlin said, or by seeing a bumper sticker and tuning in while driving.  He said that 25 percent of the listeners are Catholic, 25 percent are former Catholics and half are non-Catholics.

In markets with Catholic radio programming, O’Laughlin said, there is an increase in RCIA attendance, seminary enrollment and church attendance. 

“Donations to the Church also increase in those markets,” he said.

The Catholic Radio Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying on listener support.  Send tax-deductible donations to Catholic Radio Network, 1576 W. First St., Loveland, CO 80537.  For additional information, call 1-877-630-1090.