Lithuania: Support for the Catholic radio station in Vilnius
All over the world the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the importance of the Catholic media for the life of the Church in our times. In many countries the only way Catholics have been able to take part in Holy Mass and other communal acts of worship has been via radio, TV and Internet live streaming.
Ever since 1993 ACN has been supporting the Catholic „Mazoji Studija“ (Little Studio) radio station in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. And ever since its founding this station has proved to be a priceless instrument of evangelization and one of great importance to the Lithuanian bishops. As its name implies, it is a small operation, yet its importance for the Church in Lithuania is very considerable.
Lithuania is the only country of the former Soviet Union with a majority Catholic population (80%). So this Catholic radio station and its programmes are gratefully welcomed and followed by many Catholics, to judge from the many positive responses received from listeners. And its programmes are also appreciated by many people who have never previously had any contact with the Catholic Church and for whom these broadcasts have proved an excellent introduction and a spur to thinking more deeply about the Catholic faith. They are able to find answers to their questions and take an interest in these issues without ever having set foot inside a church or spoken to a priest. For many this will follow later as a second step, after having first of all overcome their initial resistance to these ideas.
But also for those who are already Catholics Radio „Mazoji Studija“ is a welcome source of information, thanks to which they are able to learn more about their faith and the life of the Church. And especially for the sick, the housebound and elderly, the televised and live streamed Holy Masses are a great source of comfort and consolation – the importance of which has only grown all the greater during the time of the COVID pandemic.
ACN is once again supporting the work of Radio „Mazoji Studija“ this year with a contribution of 15,000 Euros.
