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RealCatholic TV responds to Detroit archdiocese on use of 'Catholic' name

CWN - December 26, 2011

After the Archdiocese of Detroit announced that RealCatholic TV should not identify itself as “Catholic,” the broadcast apostolate has responded by pointing out that it is not legally based within the Detroit archdiocese.

The Detroit archdiocese issued a public statement cautioning RealCatholic TV, saying that it “does not regard them as being authorized to use the word ‘Catholic’ to identify or promote their public activities.” But the owner of RealCatholic TV, Marc Brammer, has said that he is prepared to respond to any canonical question about the organization’s name “through competent ecclesiastical authority.” Since RealCatholic TV has its corporate base in South Bend, Indiana, that authority would be Bishop Kevin Rhoades—who has not made any comment on the question.

Brammer said that he has a contractual arrangement with Michael Voris to produce content for RealCatholic TV. Voris does his work from within the bound of the Detroit archdiocese, in Ferndale, Michigan. Both Brammer and Voris report that they have asked for a meeting with officials of the Detroit archdiocese to discuss their activities, but have received no reply.

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Show 3 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: unum - Dec. 27, 2011 7:51 AM ET USA

    The diocese looks a little like "the gang that couldn't shoot straight" as they condemn the wrong guy without a hearing. Our dioceses should be building an image of competence after past missteps, and this is not the way to do it.

  • Posted by: Joehickey - Dec. 26, 2011 7:16 PM ET USA

    I,of course have full respect for the office of the Bishop. If the holder of that office does not like what entities, like RealCatholic, have to say, then maybe the holder of the office, and his brother bishops, should be more concerned about defending the orthodoxy of the Faith.

  • Posted by: jeremiahjj - Dec. 26, 2011 5:02 PM ET USA

    I respect our bishops and archbishops, but don't think Mr. Voris needs permission to identify his "vortex" as being Catholic-oriented. Being Catholic-oriented doesn't mean having an imprimatur, Your Excellencies. Leave the man alone; he isn't claiming to be have the official (or even unofficial) blessing of Holy Mother Church. Quite the contrary -- he wants only to make the church more pure. Lord knows that needs to happen.

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