Suffering Christians in Africa, the Middle East, and Haiti Discussed on Program on CatholicTV Throughout February

Throughout February, CatholicTV will air special episodes of a program called “Where God Weeps”. In February, Where God Weeps consists of interviews of Catholic Bishops testifying to the suffering Church in their home countries.

www.CatholicTV.com/Catholic-news-third-world also has over 50 episodes of Where God Weeps and all may be viewed free of charge without advertising. These episodes show the plight of Christians in countries like Iraq, where many Christians have been killed even at Churches.

CatholicTV.com visitors may watch episodes about Christians in Iran, China, Pakistan and other countries. In China, Catholic bishops were recently forced to attend conferences organized by the Chinese government. According to Catholic News Agency, “several Chinese Catholic sources have reported bishops being kidnapped or arrested, in order to compel their participation.”

Pakistan has been in the world news recently because of its anti-blasphemy laws, including a recent case where a 17-year old student was jailed for something he “scribbled on an exam paper” according to Bede Sheppard, senior children’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The countries focused on in February episodes of Where God Weeps include Lebanon, where a new government is being formed after a recent collapse. On one episode airing in February, Bishop Bechara Rai of Jbeil, Lebanon discusses some of the unique struggles of Christians in Lebanon, which is 40% Christian.

Also interviewed on Where God Weeps in February will be Bishop Gabriel Ababio Mante from Ghana, Bishop Abraham Desta from Ethiopia, and Bishop Joseph Lafontant from Haiti.

Where God Weeps airs each week at the following times (Eastern) at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV cable outlets: Monday 5 a.m. Tuesday 1 a.m. Wednesday 8:30 p.m. and Thursday noon.

Honoring Veterans "Tear in the Desert"

CatholicTV will air "A Tear in the Desert". This special features Father Ron Camarda, a Naval Chaplain, reading from his book of the same name. Mark Woods, columnist with the Florida Times Union writes:" it is a powerful story about war, faith, love and "the best Christmas ever.""

The book "Tear in the Desert" is the "journey into the heart of Iraq war". The following book synopsis is from Fr Ron's website: Father Ron Camarda was recalled to Active Duty to serve with the Marines during the Battle for Fallujah, Iraq (2004). At Bravo Surgical (Marine equivalent to a M.A.S.H. unit) he received over 1500 casualties and 81 deaths. When he returned home he found his work was not done. Walking with the widows and families left behind has been filled with great love and compassion. This is a walk with God into the war in the desert, only to find that the real war is within the human heart. The Afterward is by Colonel Mike Shupp, USMC Commanding Officer, Regimental Combat Team-1, Fallujah 2004-2005

The special was produced by Christian Peschken and was filmed at Ft. McCoy in Wisconsin with the support of the US Army. Christian has the exclusive rights to produce a documentary on the book and is developing the script.

CatholicTV is honored to air "Tear in the Desert".

CatholicTV to Receive The Patriot Award as Cameraman Leaves for Iraq

On June 30th, CatholicTV will receive The Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve organization at the CatholicTV studios in Watertown, MA. Colonel Joseph Mercuri (retired) will present the award at 12:30PM (Eastern).

CatholicTV was nominated for the award by Dave Wilkinson a videographer and editor in our production department. Dave (a native of Danvers, MA) was recently promoted to Sergeant and recently took a leave from CatholicTV in order to serve his country in Iraq. He is a graduate of the Boston University Center of Digital Imaging Arts and functions as Truck Commander for the Army National Guard.

According to the ESGR website (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve), employers can support Guard and Reserve employees in many ways such as “publicly acknowledging the contributions of Reserve component employees to our Nation’s defense.” Dave was recently featured on the CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” along with actress Jessica Rey who played the part of one of the Power Rangers on the children’s show.

On his last day before leave, Dave appeared on the CatholicTV signature talk show This is the Day. His appearance is near the end of the show which can be viewed at the CatholicTV website by clicking here http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=72&videoID=89.