Catholic Church slams Dstv over suspension of EWTN

THE Catholic Church in Nigeria is set for a showdown with the management of DSTV over the unceremonious suspension of a religious channel, EWTN.

The EWTN, which  broadcast activities of the Catholic faith, was recently yanked off from the bouquet of the South African owned DStv over what its management termed the unpopularity of the programme in Nigeria.

A release by the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, the Church described the suspension of the channel as uncalled for and regrettable and vowed to challenge the action.

Similarly, in a swift reaction, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, in a letter  by Most Rev. Emmanuel Ade Badejo, chairman, Directorate of Communications of the CBCN, described the suspension of the channel as an act of discrimination.

“In the last two weeks Bishops’ offices in Catholic Dioceses across Nigeria have been besieged with calls from the faithful who hitherto have been able to receive EWTN on your DStv bouquet in Nigeria.

“Upon investigation, we found that DStv had decided to suspend this channel to the greatest bewilderment of thousands of your subscribers for whom EWTN had become their family and faith channel. We have received reports that EWTN which by the way was the only Catholic channel on your service, is the only religious channel that has been taken down.”

While describing as false, the assertion by DStv that the channel was unpopular, judging by the high volume of complaint received from Catholics against the suspension, the Church urged DStv to review its suspension of EWTN and give back the millions of starved Christian households the opportunity of continually nourishing their faith at the earliest possible opportunity.