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