The Portal December 2018 | Page 7

THE P RTAL December 2018 Page 7 EWTN at Walsingham Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane chat with Norman Servais I t is not every day that we conduct an interview in a building where parts date from five hundred years ago, but the new EWTN building in the Friday Market in Walsingham is one such. The present structure is modern of course - readers will remember Swallows café - but parts of the building really are very old. The door-step for instance, is thought to be original. See the wear in our picture. Just think of all those medieval pilgrims walking over that threshold. We were given the grand tour of the studio. It really is very impressive, with up to date equipment for filming and editing. Indeed, just prior to our visit the three Ordinaries had been interviewed there. Norman Servais is head of tv and radio production at the studio. An urbane, relaxed man with an easy attitude, he made us instantly welcome. Half South African and half Belgian, a cradle Catholic, he is an interesting character, “My dad grew up in London and at the age of 30 moved to Cape Town so that’s where I was born,” he told us. Referring to the studio, he said, “We know this was called the White Horse originally, and was pilgrim accommodation for the friary, so it obviously has an interesting history. It is located right here in the middle in the Friday Market in the heart of Walsingham and, so it was quite providential when the property became available at a time when EWTN was looking for a house in Walsingham.” “The Church doesn’t actually own the apparition site. Catholics came here centuries ago to the shrine, but now it is a mile outside Walsingham. The Holy House was at the Priory which is where Our Lady wanted it. But Catholic pilgrims centre on the Slipper Chapel which is a mile outside the village.” We asked what EWTN stood for and Norman told us, “Eternal Word Television Network.” Ronald said, “And that was Mother Angelica’s brain child?” Norman said, “Yes, in 1981.” Norman Servais We wanted to know why EWTN is in Walsingham. Norman responded, “It was very much because EWTN has recognised the importance of establishing a growing presence in Europe. The idea is to become more internationally representative and serve as a reminder of the ancient history of shrines especially Jerusalem, Rome, Compostela and Walsingham, which were once the four great pilgrim sites in Christendom. Jackie remarked, “Sadly it seems Walsingham has been forgotten by many Catholics in preference to the more modern Lourdes and yet here is Our Lady in this quiet and wonderful part of Norfolk.” Norman took up the challenge, “I think it might have something to do with the fact that it’s a little bit complicated. Jackie said, “Technology was in its infancy then, compared to now.” Norman said, “Yes. For example, I’m off to Poland tomorrow, where Poland will launch EWTN Polska. There are many openings around Europe to give EWTN a European base so that’s exciting. We have a new hub in Sweden, a base in the Netherlands is developing. Germany has taken really well - they have 24/7 German programming.” Jackie asked, “Is it your plan to have a web of networks all over Europe to bring more of a European influence to what is going on? Do you think it is very different to what is happening to America at the moment? Norman responded, “The west is suffering from a similar widespread secularism which is causing all sorts of issues. Churches are losing numbers, but the effort of EWTN is to try and reach people wherever