Media, students question Arroyo at press conference

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
October 26, 2006

During a press conference preceding the Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Education, the keynote speaker offered a sneak preview of his presentation and answered some questions from the local media and about 20 Catholic high school students, many of whom are interested in journalism.

Raymond Arroyo, a premiere Catholic journalist who appears on EWTN, told them that the evening's presentation would speak mainly about Mother Angelica, who is founder of the biggest religious media empire in the world. He wrote a biography of Mother Angelica about a year ago.

He told them that Mother Angelica was born in 1923 in an Italian slum of Canton, Ohio. Her father abandoned the family when she was 5 and her mother was suicidal. In addition, she had various health problems. After praying a nine-day novena, she was healed.

She entered the cloistered life and was again afflicted with some health problems. Before having surgery on her spine, the doctor told her she would have a 50-50 that she'd never walk again. At that point, she made a deal with God saying she'd build him a monastery for his glory, down in the South.

"One thing led to another and she decided she should start a television operation, but the central point of the story is that you don't get an engraved invitation of what God intends for you or what your life is meant to be," said Arroyo. "For Mother Angelica and I guess myself, too, you trade away the confusion and fog and sooner or later...you discover what it is you are meant to do."

While much of the press conference centered on Mother Angelica, some questions were directed at his career and the field of journalism.

"I spend a lot of time on planes crisscrossing the country, talking about the book and Mother Angelica - when I'm not darting off to Rome and covering the news of Pope Benedict XVI," he said.

Arroyo pointed out that he was a product of a Catholic education, attending Catholic grammar and high school in New Orleans.

"I went to NYU for college, so I had to fight for my faith," he said.

He told the aspiring journalists that the industry has changed. Arroyo mentioned that the luxury of time is something that is being lost in the industry.

"As you move into the ranks of professional journalists, you will quickly discover that you have to get information in a brief way, concise way and in a thorough way. It is an enormous challenge," said the veteran Catholic journalist.

Among his most moving subjects to cover was Katrina Hurricane damage, given he is a native of New Orleans. His two favorite interviews were with Pope Benedict XVI and Mel Gibson.

One student asked him what his take was on the pope's comment about Islam.

The comment made by the pope, noted Arroyo, was merely a jumping off point to a broader discussion on faith and reason - faith cannot exist without reason. He believes the pope wanted to ask the questions - can Islam live in peace and can it engage in dialogue.

Arroyo pointed out that he majored in political science and theatre, with a journalism minor. He encouraged them to broaden their majors so they would have a solid foundation of knowledge.

He also suggested that the students seek internships and find mentors.