Brendan O’ReganBrendan O’Regan analyses what is worth viewing as the ‘chilly autumn settles in’
One programme last Sunday had a lot of timely messages about prayer – that it’s not about manipulating God, that you can’t expect all prayers to be answered immediately in the way you expect, that it shouldn’t be about selfishly seeking to accumulate material goods.
This was brought to us by an episode of The Simpsons on Sunday afternoon on Channel 4. Homer notices how neighbour Ned Flanders was falling into lots of good fortune and credited prayer (as well as flossing!). Homer tries his hand and after a few initial successes (like finding his TV remote) prays for a bigger house, whereupon he gets the deeds of Rev. Lovejoy’s church after a lawsuit. His wife Marge is not pleased – God, she scolds, is not some sort of holy concierge and you can’t keep bugging him.
Lisa tentatively sees the move to God’s house as offering her more opportunities to ‘cloister’ herself, but soon Homer has turned the place into a den of ill repute. There is much biblical resonance as God gets displeased with the goings on and sends a flood, but Rev. Lovejoy, having abandoned Springfield to its sins returns dramatically (by helicopter) and pleads with the Lord for mercy. Sin gets a whipping, there’s valid commentary on sin and human vanity, God is portrayed in a good light, though there are a few digs at his smiting and anger. Seeing the church getting thrashed is unsettling and Homer playing the cross like a guitar was more than a little disrespectful, but it was in no way approved.
If one has understandable qualms about respectfulness on The Simpsons, there is no such danger with Radio Maria Ireland which began broadcasting online during the summer, a welcome new kid on the block of religious broadcasting. The official launch is due this autumn according to its rather sparse website. You can listen live on the website or via the app for mobile devices. There’s a full and varied schedule (which is best accessed via the station’s Facebook page), including religious services, interviews, prayer, catechesis and music. Last Sunday night, for example, I heard an interesting interview with members of Pure in Heart, who outlined their vision and in particular their work in schools promoting chastity.
So, what else can we look forward to in the media as chilly autumn settles in? For better or for worse Tonight with Vincent Browne returns to TV3 this week, with the promise of new approaches and easier access for those who wish to contribute (or get eaten). The new Colette Fitzpatrick Show (Newstalk, Sunday mornings) seems promising – last Sunday morning there was a reasonably thorough interview with Minister Joan Burton (sounding uncomfortable when quizzed about the Fennelly Report) and an insightful interview about depression with pop singer Bressie (Niall Breslin).
The main media story of the last week has been the refugee crisis and it’s good to see the Church taking a lead. There was very positive coverage over the weekend of Pope Francis’ call for Catholic parishes and religious congregations to take in refugee families, while Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin spoke on the issue on Today with Sean O’Rourke on Monday morning.
He acknowledged people’s concerns on the matter, but also recognised the great generosity people were offering. Responding to the notion that we should deal with our own homeless first he suggested that the way we deal with this crisis may show us the very way to solve the domestic issue. With so much bleak news on every bulletin it was heartening to see on the weekend news programmes the warm welcome the refugees were getting from the Austrian and Bavarian people.
The power of the media was demonstrated yet again with the publicity given to that awful photo of the dead Syrian boy, Aylan Kurdi, on the Turkish beach.
Yes, it prompted more generosity from a huge number of people, but similar photos had been doing the rounds well before that. And should we need such graphic photos to prompt a response? The vast scale of the crisis was well flagged for months. It suggests that increasingly we are motivated by emotion and sentiment more than reason. Interestingly in other contentious issues it is considered offensive to show graphic images.
People of goodwill in the media have a difficult line to walk and challenging decisions to make. Consistency should be an aspiration.
Pick of the week
Sunday Spirit
RTĖ Radio 1 Extra, Sunday, September 13, 10am
Topical religious issues and interviews, along with some quality music.
Saints and Sinners: Britain’s Millennium of Monasteries
BBC 4, Monday, September 14, 8pm
How monasteries shaped every aspect of Celtic Ireland and Medieval Britain.
Invited to courageous love – The Catholic Church and homosexuality
EWTN, Monday, September 14, 10.30pm
Members of Courage share their stories about same-sex attraction and embracing the freedom of chastity.