Michael Voris and World Youth Day (*UPDATED*)

 

World Youth Day 2001 - Madrid, Spain

The World Youth Day website put out a rather interesting "Press Release" today. They essentially released a statement that says:

Michael Voris, “Real Catholic TV” and the program “No Bull in Madrid” are not accredited to or recognized by World Youth Day 2011.

The event they are talking about is a teen conference called: "No Bull in Madrid." It is billed as a conference about: "Fighting the Pop Culture Bull." It looks to be an interesting and informative event, the type that you would expect certain apostolates to hold over there. There will be all sorts of events and folks over in Spain for WYD, and I am sure that a majority of them are being done by the groups themselves.

What is interesting about the press release is that it seems to be prompted by "confusion" on behalf of those planning on attending World Youth Day in Madrid, and whether he is affiliated to the WYD event. I don't know if this means folks have been emailing the WYD Committee, the Diocese of Madrid, or really where the confusion has been directed. The Press Release is very unclear as to whether Voris and RCTv ever applied or attempted to gain an endorsement. In fact, it is even unclear whether such an endorsement is something that would even be possible for a group like Real Catholic TV.

Here is the Press Release in its entirety:

U.S. Based Media Producer Not Approved by WYD 2011
WYD Cultural Program Participants Must Be Endorsed by Bishops' Conferences

It has come to our attention that Michael Voris, a US based media producer, is scheduled to offer independent catechesis sessions out of a hotel in Madrid during World Youth Day 2011. There has been some confusion regarding his affiliation with World Youth Day. Michael Voris, the clergy and the laity associated with him, and their media efforts “Real Catholic TV” and “No Bull in Madrid” are not in any way recognized or approved by World Youth Day 2011.

Catechesis at World Youth Day is offered by Bishops of the Catholic Church in union with Pope Benedict XVI, who has invited the young people of the world to join him in Madrid for this celebration of faith and life. The Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Laity selects and invites Bishops, and only Bishops, from around the world to conduct Catechesis sessions at WYD in various languages.

Participants in the World Youth Day 2011 Cultural Program must be recognized and endorsed by the Bishops and Episcopal Conferences of their respective countries. Participants were selected for Cultural program by the World Youth Day organization in close collaboration with the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Those groups participating in the World Youth Day 2011 Cultural Festival have been selected because, through their various activities, they promote the authentic teaching and unity of the Roman Catholic Church and have been endorsed by their local Bishop and Espiscopal conference. Michael Voris, "Real Catholic TV" and "No Bull in Madrid" did not receive such endorsement from their Bishop or Episcopal Conference.

Michael Voris, “Real Catholic TV” and the program “No Bull in Madrid” are not accredited to or recognized by World Youth Day 2011.

World Youth Day Madrid 2011 invites and encourages all pilgrims attending this celebration of faith to visit the vast array of events that make up the official World Youth Day 2011 Cultural Festival and are endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the WYD organization and their respective Bishops conferences.

No Bull in Madrid - Link

So there are a lot more questions than answers really. I foresee certain bloggers taking this as a statement by the Vatican against Voris and Real Catholic TV. In reality, I think this is more of a clarification than anything. WYD and other such events often have "Unofficial" events that occur in the locale that aren't necessarily "sanctioned" by the event and WYD Committee. It seems to me that this is exactly what this is. It is essentially a mini-conference for teens at and during WYD.

I think the fairest way to construe this P.R. is to simply take it at face value. Unfortunately I don't think that the blogosphere is going to let this by without jabs and commentary that construe for more than it actually is. I have put in requests to various entities to try and get more of the story, so let's see if there is more to all of this than meets the eye.

The interesting part is that the conference seems like a really interesting event: "No Bull in Madrid." I know that not everyone is a fan of Voris and the Vortex, but to be honest, he says a lot of things that need to be said. I think there is a fair debate to be had over whether his approach and tactics work or are the "best way to go about things" but I know many good, orthodox, and loving Catholics that really gain hope and encouragement (regardless of what some bloggers say about his cynicism and despair) from Voris' message. I think likewise, an event for teens might appeal in the same way on topics more germane to their lives.

It will be interesting to learn the rest of this story... In the meantime we should all say prayers for the teens traveling to Madrid. WYD is an amazing event, and many lives are changed for the better during these events.

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UPDATE [10:39p ET]:
I have learned more information on all of this.
First, Patrick Madrid has posted about it at his blog. He calls the decision to release a statement on a non-affiliated groups actions:

"...quite unusual, perhaps even unprecedented..."

Secondly, I have been in contact with Real Catholic TV. They responded quickly and honestly. Essentially they never applied for approval because they never intended on being "accredited to or recognized by WYD..." The owner of RealCatholicTV.com's website domain, Marc Brammer, released a statement on Patrick Madrid's blog. (No I don't feel slighted, even though I posted this story first). It says:

Patrick … you are so right … unprecedented! I am the owner of the RCTV.com domain name and teamed up with Voris to launch RCTV in September of 2008. So let me make a statement for the record …

Nothing RealCatholicTV.com has ever done has been done with “approval” owing to the fact that “approval” is not required. The laity, or their efforts, do not operate as ecclesial bodies or functionaries (e.g., prayer groups and Catholic Bible Studies do not need “permission” or “approval” before commencing activities) nor is there any real mechanism in place for obtaining such approval.

For instance, not a single Vortex episode (nearly 800 to date) has ever been “approved” in the sense of receiving some official endorsement by the Church, nor are they required to be “approved” unless there is a claim to be speaking for the Church (which there is not).

Our efforts in Madrid are solely our own undertaking, as is everything that we do. We consult greatly and regularly with various clergy and religious in many of our endeavors, and we are very happy for their support.

The work of the laity, however, is NOT the work of the clergy.

Additionally, even with the “approval” of the Church on the work of various “official” Church undertakings, we see clearly that in many instances (as with “catholic” universities and hospitals and social justice efforts) this official seal of “approval” is rendered meaningless by the actions or intentions of some of those involved.

So, while we grateful for the clarification on the part of WYD officials that our efforts are not “approved,” our response is, “Thank you for clearing up a matter that we failed to see needed clarification. We never said we were “approved” and “approval” is not required for lay endeavors on behalf of the Faith.”

Now, I don't know if Brammer's statement is as polished as I would have put out, speaking as someone familiar with communications/press efforts, but it says what RCTv told me: they never intended this event to be an officially sanctioned or affiliated event with WYD. In fact, I question whether that would even be possible for a lay group such as RCTv to get. Although, the WYD Press Release seemed to insinuate that lack of affiliation or accreditation was somehow significant.

Finally, I don't think this will be the end of this "situation." It hit rather late in the day, and I am sure with Patrick Madrid picking up on it, tomorrow will bring a bunch of posts about it. Hopefully, bloggers will be honest, as was Madrid, and see that this statement is unfair and unprecedented. WYD has a lot of events that occur at or around the sites used by the Church in an official capacity. Many that I have talked to have recounted concerts, dances, "get togethers", learning sessions, site-seeing, etc... All of these things I think can have a proper place if done properly and in the right context. I also have heard stories of a sort of "let the kids be kids" atmosphere at some of the wrong places and wrong times. Not that it is OK, but I think it comes with the territoryy. My point isn't that there is something wrong with WYD, but that there is something wrong with putting this press release out. Stay tuned for more details.

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