Crime & Safety
Disturbance During Live Mass At EWTN: Man Detained By Police
A man who approached the alter during mass at EWTN Sunday was detained by the Irondale Police Department and a trespass warning was issued.

IRONDALE, AL - A disturbance during a live broadcast of Sunday morning Mass at the Eternal Word Television Network resulted in a man being detained by police. Reports said during the 7:00 a.m. televised Mass, an individual attempted to approach Father Wade Menezes during the consecration at the altar. EWTN security offers immediately removed the man and the Mass continued.
The man reportedly screamed profanities and yelled “this is it!” as he approached the altar.
EWTN President Michael Warsaw issued the following statement:
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“On Sunday, November 4th during the 7:00 a.m. live televised Mass on EWTN, an individual caused a disturbance in the chapel and attempted to approach the altar. The man was immediately removed from the chapel by EWTN security personnel. He was subsequently detained by the Irondale Police Department and a trespass warning was issued. No one was injured and the Mass continued without further incident. We ask that our EWTN family keep this individual in their prayers.”
Employees at EWTN's headquarters in Irondale have been asked to report anything out of the ordinary, as security has been heightened due to the incident.
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EWTN Global Catholic Network was launched in 1981 by Mother Angelica of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. The largest religious media network in the world, it reaches more than 275 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories.
Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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