Episode 3042: Blinded by the World: The Crisis of Catholic News Consumption

Blinded by the World: The Crisis of Catholic News Consumption
Introductory Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, illumine our minds and hearts. Help us to recognize the difference between the voice of the world and the voice of the Church founded by Christ. Grant us the grace to thirst for truth, to reject error, and to remain ever faithful to the teachings handed down through the Apostles and safeguarded by Tradition. May the Immaculate Heart of Mary triumph, and may we stand firm against the deception of our age. Amen.
Welcome, dear friends in Christ.
Today, we tackle a crisis that is far more urgent and destructive than many realize the crisis of Catholic news consumption. In an age of instant information, many Catholics are unknowingly allowing the voice of the world to drown out the voice of the Church. This episode is a call a wake-up call to return to authentic sources of truth.

Segment One: The Current Crisis
Imagine a Catholic in 1950. Where did he get his news?
From a diocesan newspaper, faithful Catholic radio, perhaps a parish bulletin that boldly proclaimed Church teaching.
Now fast forward to today.
Most Catholics wake up, scroll Facebook, browse CNN, or watch YouTube news reels.
Without realizing it, they are being formed but not by Christ.
A 2023 Pew Research study showed that over 70% of self-identified Catholics get their news from secular sources.
Worse still, among those who seek Catholic media, many are unknowingly turning to progressive platforms that often undermine Church teaching such as America Magazine, Crux, and the National Catholic Reporter.
This is a spiritual disaster.

As the old saying goes: "You become what you consume."
If we feed on the world’s narrative, we will inevitably think, judge, and act like the world.
And Our Lord warned us:
"The prince of this world cometh: and in me he hath not anything." (John 14:30)
The world is under the sway of the evil one. Neutral ground does not exist.
Segment Two: Secular vs. Catholic Worldviews
Let’s get real.
The secular media does not simply "report" events.
It interprets them twisting them through the lens of humanism, relativism, materialism, and often anti-Catholic prejudice.
Take marriage, for example.
A secular outlet frames "marriage equality" as a civil rights triumph.
But what is marriage in the eyes of the Church?
The sacred, indissoluble union of one man and one woman, elevated by Christ to a sacrament.
On immigration, secular media presents open borders as a moral absolute.
The Church teaches compassion for the stranger balanced with the right and duty of nations to protect the common good.
On abortion, the secular world calls it "healthcare."
The Church calls it murder.
And even worse, secular media paints the Church as outdated, corrupt, and in need of "reform" not in the sense of renewal and holiness, but conformity to modern errors.
St. Paul foresaw this:
"For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine... and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
This is where we are.
Ask yourself:
Am I being formed by Christ or by CNN?
Segment Three: The Betrayal of Catholic Media
You might think: "Well, at least there’s Catholic media."
Sadly, much of what calls itself Catholic today is not Catholic at all.
The National Catholic Reporter has been condemned by bishops for promoting heresy.
Even many diocesan newspapers have become timid, prioritizing "community events" over defending the Faith boldly.
Why the betrayal?
Because the love of human respect has overtaken the love of God.
Fear of offending the world has overtaken the fear of offending Christ.
Where are the true shepherds, the voices crying in the wilderness?
Thankfully, there are still faithful outlets:
• Catholic Family News
• The Remnant
• LifeSiteNews
• OnePeterFive
• The more traditional sections of EWTN and Church Militant.
But these require effort to seek out they are not algorithms’ favorites.
As St. Thomas Aquinas said, "The truth is not always found where there is the greatest noise."
Segment Four: Why It Matters
Some might shrug: "Is it really that important? News is just news."
But no.
This is about the formation of the soul.
When Catholics are formed by the world, they soon cease to think, act, or even believe as Catholics.
And that means eternal consequences.
Faith is not private.
Faith is not a side hobby.
Faith is the light by which we see everything else.
As Archbishop Fulton Sheen famously said:
"Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you the laity."
The battle for souls begins with the battle for truth.
Segment Five: Why Catholics Must Stop Being Indifferent
Indifference is one of Satan’s most powerful weapons today.
Our Lord said it bluntly:
"Because thou art lukewarm... I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)
To be indifferent about truth is to be indifferent about Christ.
It is not enough to mean well.
We must know the truth.
We must love the truth.
We must defend the truth.
And that begins by detoxifying what we allow into our minds.
If we casually consume worldly media, we are slowly poisoning our souls.
Segment Six: What We Must Do
So, what should we do?
First, detoxify your information sources.
Turn off the secular news.
Cancel progressive Catholic media subscriptions.
Be ruthless. Your soul is at stake.
Second, actively seek and support faithful Catholic outlets.
Don't just "dabble." Immerse yourself in good, traditional Catholic reporting.
Third, educate yourself and your family:
• Read the Catechism of the Council of Trent.
• Read the Lives of the Saints.
• Form your conscience with the perennial teachings of the Church, not modern commentators.
Fourth, embrace a Catholic liturgical life.
• If possible, attend the Traditional Latin Mass.
• Pray the Rosary daily.
• Live by the Church calendar, not the world’s.
Finally, sacrifice for others.
Offer prayers, Rosaries, fasting for the souls of those misled by worldly media.
Action step for this week:
Choose one faithful Catholic news source. Read it regularly. Share it with others.

Segment Seven: Hope in the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart
We are not without hope.
At Fatima, Our Lady promised:
"In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."
The Church may be reduced to a faithful remnant but God does not need great numbers.
He needs faithful hearts.
"Fear not, little flock," Our Lord tells us, "for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
And as St. Athanasius reminds us:
"Even if Catholics faithful to Tradition are reduced to a handful, they are the true Church of Jesus Christ."
Stay faithful. Persevere. The victory is already assured.
Conclusionary Prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O Jesus, Eternal Truth, grant that we may love the Truth, seek the Truth, defend the Truth, and live according to the Truth. Protect us from the spirit of deception that seeks to cloud our judgment and lead us astray.

By the prayers of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the holy martyrs who died for the Faith, strengthen us to remain faithful even unto death. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.