IMAGE: CNS
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WASHINGTON
(CNS) — Mother Angelica “reflected the Gospel commission to go forth and
make disciples of all nations” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of
Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference.
“Like
the best evangelists, she used the communications tools of her time to make
this happen. She displayed a unique capacity for mission and showed the world
once again the vital contribution of women religious.”
Archbishop
Kurtz was one of several Catholic leaders who took note of the March 27 death
of Mother Angelica, a Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration, who founded the
Eternal Word Television Network. Virtually all of them, at one time or another,
had appeared on EWTN.
“Her
work, begun in the cloister, reached across the globe,” Archbishop Kurtz
said in a March 28 statement. “She was a convincing sign as to how even the
humblest of beginnings can yield abundant fruit.”
Archbishop
Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia, who served on the EWTN board of directors
for many years, called Mother Angelica “a woman of extraordinary faith,
intelligence, energy and determination.” He added he “saw firsthand
the tremendously positive impact her work for Jesus Christ had on many millions
of people.”
“Mother
Angelica brought the truth and the love and the life of the Gospel of Jesus to
so many people, not only to our Catholic household of faith, but to many
thousands of people who are not Catholic, in that beautiful way she had of
touching lives, bringing so many people into the Catholic faith,” said Bishop
Robert J. Baker of Birmingham, Alabama, in whose diocese EWTN is located.
“Mother
Angelica was a pioneer of the new evangelization before that term ever became
popular,” said Msgr. Walter Rossi, rector of the Basilica of the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, the site of many Masses
telecast live each year by EWTN.
“By
providing religious programming, the Mass and devotions, first by television
and now by every form of communications media, Mother Angelica and EWTN
proclaimed the message of the Gospel to millions of people throughout the
world,” he said.
“She
untiringly exhorted all to pursue holiness by living with God in the present
moment. We are grateful for your prayers for this courageous daughter of the
church,” said Mother Dolores Marie, superior of the Poor Clare Nuns of
Perpetual Adoration of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama.
The monastery is north of the Birmingham suburb of Irondale, where EWTN has
its headquarters.
“Her
voice and her message will be with us for a long time,” said a statement
from Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, about Mother Angelica.
“We have all lost a friend, a mentor, a spiritual mother, a voice of
conscience, and a source of laughter and encouragement.”
“Mother
Angelica was a true media giant. She proved that the church belonged in the
popular media alongside the news, sports, and talk shows,” said Franciscan
Father Michael O. Sheridan, president of the Franciscan University of Steubenville,
Ohio. The show “Franciscan University Presents,” a roundtable theology
discussion, has been produced by the university for EWTN since 1993.
“She
heeded the call of the Second Vatican Council to bring the Gospel message into
contemporary society. With humor and the occasional stern word, but always
moved by a deep love of people, Mother Angelica faithfully conveyed the
knowledge and love of God to Catholics, Christians, and nonbelievers alike,”
Father Sheridan added.
“Mother
Angelica leaves behind a legacy of holiness and commitment to the new
evangelization that should inspire us all,” said Carl Anderson, supreme
knight of the Knights of Columbus.
“I
was honored to know and be able to assist Mother Angelica during the early days
of EWTN. Over the years, that relationship grew, and today the Knights of
Columbus and EWTN partner regularly on important projects. Mother Angelica was
fearless, because she had God on her side,” Anderson said. “She saw
what he needed her to do and she did it!”
“Mother Angelica touched
the lives of countless people throughout the world by way of her landmark
evangelization at EWTN,” said Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley.
She also “lifted Catholic
media presence to a new level of achievement, bringing the message of Christ
into the homes of people from all walks of life,” he added.
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