EWTN To Air Pope’s Historic U.K. Visit Live Exclusive Interviews, Expert Commentary Available

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide live coverage of every public event during Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to England and Scotland Sept. 16-19, numerous original productions on the life and works of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be beatified by the Pope during his visit, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.

Coverage will be seen and heard on all nine EWTN Television Networks worldwide, and can be heard in English, Spanish, French and German; on EWTN Radio Network, and at www.ewtn.com through live streaming video. (Find EWTN Television at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder and EWTN Radio at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm or on Sirius Satellite Channel 160.)

Special live coverage will be provided by EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo, who has covered more papal events than anyone in the industry and who obtained the only English language interview in existence today with the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. (Contact EWTN to arrange an interview.)

“To my mind, this visit to the U.K. is to Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy what Pope John Paul II’s visit to Poland was to his,” said “World Over” Host Raymond Arroyo, who will anchor EWTN’s coverage. “Not enough attention is being paid to the historicity of this seismic moment.”

EWTN’s coverage of these events will include exclusive interviews with Deacon John “Jack” Sullivan, who prayed to Newman for healing after watching a series on the saint on EWTN and whose resulting miracle is responsible for Newman’s beatification; Cormack Murphy O’Connor, former Archbishop of Westminster, who worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make this papal trip possible; Lord David Alton, a member of Parliament, who will discuss the government’s view of the trip and what Catholics can expect; Westminster’s current Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams, and many others! You’ll also travel to the Birmingham Oratory and the rooms in which Newman lived and worked; Westminster Hall, where St. Thomas More was condemned to death; the Guild Chapel and much more.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in 160 million television households in 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

EWTN Specials on Cardinal John Henry Newman Currently airing:

• “The World Over” (Friday at 8 p.m. ET) with Host Raymond Arroyo has already begun airing on location interviews from England and Scotland on Cardinal John Henry Newman and the historicity of the papal visit.
• In preparation for the beatification, don’t miss the currently airing series, “Cardinal Newman at 2000” at 6:30 a.m. Tuesdays. This is the EWTN program that inspired Deacon Jack Sullivan to pray to Newman, which resulted in the miracle needed for the beatification. This series and others are available from www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com. Newman specials:
• “In Step With Newman,” a visual tour of the places associated with Cardinal John Henry Newman, including an exclusive visit to Newman’s private study in the Birmingham Oratory in England, as well as “The College Littlemore,” in Oxford, which is where Newman converted to Catholisim. Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 13.
• “In Conversation with Fr. Gregory Winterton,” who reflects on his long life as the oldest member of the Birmingham Oratory in England. Fr. Winterton’s response to Pope Paul VI’s desire to beatify Cardinal Newman revitalized his Cause and led to the upcoming beatification. Coming in September.
• “Heart of the Matter:” Special episode on the life and legacy of Cardinal John Henry Newman, recorded at Littlemore, the former home of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Oxford England with a panel of Newman experts and an exclusive interview with Deacon Jack Sullivan, who himself was cured through the intercession of Newman. This miracle has led to the long awaited Beatification of the Cardinal. Airs 10 p.m. ET, Sun., Sept. 12; 1 p.m. ET, Tues., Sept. 14, and 5 a.m. ET, Thurs., Sept. 16.
• “Shepherds Speak:” Host David Kerr interviews Westminster Archbishop Vincent Nichols about the life and contributions of Cardinal John Henry Newman in anticipation of his beatification in September. Coming in September. • “Cardinal Newman: The Littlemore Years,” an exploration of how Newman’s time in Littlemore brought about his conversion to the Catholic Faith. Airs 2:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 15.
• “Tranquil Work: Cardinal Newman and the Birmingham Oratory,” hosted by Marcus Grodi, discusses Newman’s founding of the Oratory based on a type of religious community founded by St. Philip Neri. As a member of the Oratory, Newman wrote his famous Applogia pro Vita Sua, in which he defended his conversion to the Catholic Faith. Visit the Birmingham Oratory Church, erected as a memorial after the Cardinal’s death, and other buildings erected during Newman’s life. Coming in September. Specials on Scotland:
• Catholic Lives Scotland: Interview with Scottish Catholic Composer James Macmillan. Coming in September.
• “Monastic Voice:” Documentary with Abbot Hugh on the Benedictine Plusgarden Abbey in Scotland. Coming in September.

EWTN’S Special Live Papal Coverage
EWTN will carry all events live including the Pope’s reception by Her Majesty, The Queen, and members of the Royal Family, at the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh and an open-air Mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.

Live events during the Pope’s visit to England are expected to include visits to:

• St. Mary’s University College, where the Pope will pray with representatives of religious congregations, especially those with a charism for education, meet with 3,000 students to celebrate Catholic education, meet with religious leaders and people of faith to discuss religion and belief in our society;
• Lambeth Palace with Archbishop of Canterbury, in the presence of the Anglican diocesan bishops and the Catholic diocesan bishops of England and Wales;
• Westminster Hall, where the Pope will address the public;
• Westminster Abbey, where the Pope will celebrate Evening Prayer with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Christian leaders. His Holiness will also pray at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and the Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor.
• Westminster Cathedral, where the Pope will celebrate Mass and, later, greet the people of Wales.
• A home for the elderly
• Hyde Park, where he will take part in an open-air vigil of prayer.
• Cofton Park, where His Holiness will celebrate the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. The site is adjacent to Rednal, where Newman was buried and where Newman and his community came for rest and recreation.
• Oscott College, where the Pope will meet with the bishops of England, Scotland and Wales.