On Thursday, EWTN Global Catholic Network announced it has begun construction on a television studio on the West Coast, located on the campus of the Diocese of Orange's Christ Cathedral. “As we transform the Christ Cathedral campus into a dynamic and inspirational center of Catholic worship and outreach, we are blessed to partner with EWTN to share our community’s energy and faithful witness with the world,” Bishop Kevin Vann of Orange said July 24 at the Napa Institute. “EWTN’s partnership will profoundly benefit our Church, enabling us to share the love of Christ with millions across the world in multiple languages from the Cathedral campus, here in Orange County.” The new studio is expected to be operational by the end of 2014, transmitting news and Masses across the world. Bishop Vann made the announcement along with Michael Warsaw, chief executive officer of EWTN, who said that the network is “pleased to be able to collaborate with Bishop Vann and the Diocese of Orange on this important new project. The studio being developed there will be of great benefit to EWTN's programming efforts around the globe.” He added that the West Coast location “gives EWTN a presence in an area of the country where the Network will be able to execute programs that would be difficult to produce elsewhere, particularly for our Spanish-language channels.” “We are also pleased to develop this West Coast studio in advance of the historic renovation of the Christ Cathedral itself,” he said, adding that EWTN “will be well positioned and prepared to share news of this closely watched transformation with our viewers.” The Diocese of Orange purchased the 3,000-seat Crystal Cathedral in February 2012 from the Protestant community which founded it. The structure was renamed Christ Cathedral, and will serve as the seat of the Bishop of Orange. The purchase was made after Crystal Cathedral had filed for bankruptcy in October 2010 when some of its creditors sued for payment. The Diocese of Orange, one of the nation's largest, is home to the more than 1.2 million Catholics who live in California's Orange County. Established 33 years ago, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world, reaching over 230 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. The network includes television, radio and a publishing arm, along with a website and both electronic and print news services.
