Michael Manning (priest)

Father Michael Manning is a Roman Catholic priest whose ministry is television. His program, The Word in the World, is seen weekly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and The Church Channel. His programs also broadcast on Catholic TV networks including Boston, Detroit, Rockville Center, Yonkers, Youngstown and Fresno. Manning is also aired on the worldwide Military Network. In 1972 Manning began his ministry by hosting and producing the program "Run for Daylight" on a cable system in San Bernardino, California. In 1978 he started a nationally syndicated weekly program.

Manning's goal is to present Catholic perspectives on life's issues. He has a driving desire to build bridges among people of different denominations and religions. He champions the causes of the poor and disenfranchised. His teachings bring insights into the Bible and the Catholic faith.^{[citation needed]}

Manning has appeared as a guest on Larry King Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Nancy Grace, The History Channel^{[clarification needed]}, Doctor Laura, The Leeza Show, The Montel Williams Show, The Phil Donahue Show, Hard Copy, Helpline at NBC and CBS Real People, The 700 Club, and Today's Religion. For nine years he was a regular guest on the radio program Religion on the Line on KABC in Los Angeles with Dennis Prager.

Writing

Manning has written several books and booklets, including Pardon My Lenten Smile, Proclaimed from the Rooftops,^[1] Life full of Surprises, the autobiography On Camera and Off, The Story of my Life,^[2] Questions and Answers for Today's Catholics,^[3] "Sackcloth and Ashes: Liturgical Reflections for Lenten Weekdays" ^[4] and Why do Catholics Leave the Church? For seven years he wrote a weekly column in the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. He was the playwright and wrote the script for a live musical on the life of Saint Paul, called "Paul".^[5] "Paul" was performed at four locations throughout Southern California in 2009. His most recent book is 5 Seconds a Day to a Successful Marriage. In 2010 Doubleday will release The 15 Faces of God – A quest to know the Father from the Parables of Jesus.^[6]

Career and education

In Manning’s 40 years of priesthood he has served as high school teacher, vocation director, provincial superior, prison chaplain, pastor and president of the television ministry, Wordnet Productions.^[7] Manning received a B.A. degree in Philosophy from New York State University in Albany, New York in 1963. He received a Theology degree from Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. in 1969. He then received an M.F.A. (Masters of Fine Arts) degree in playwriting from Catholic University of America in 1972. In addition to his media work, he is a speaker at national and international conventions.

Awards and recognition

In May 2006 Manning was the recipient of the Papal award Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice from Pope Benedict XVI, given to "individuals whose contributions rise to a level that deserves recognition by the Universal Church."

His reflection on the Scriptural readings of the day appears every Monday on the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ web page. Manning is a member of the Society of the Divine Word (Latin: Societas Verbi Divini: SVD), an international missionary community that serves the needs of the poor.

Controversy

In April, 2011 Fr. Manning announced he was going on leave from his television show as a result of the revelation that he was involved in a sexual affair with his second cousin, Nancy Kotowski, the Monterey County, California superintendent of schools.^[8]

Return to Active Ministry

As of May 13, 2011, with the full support of his Provincial Superior of the Western Province of Society of the Divine Word and the Bishop of San Bernardino, Fr. Manning has moved back into full active ministry. The weekly show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), as well as the daily smart phone app, iGodToday, sponsored by the Vatican Observatory, continue. Father is now accepting invitations for Masses and speaking engagements. ^[9]

References

1. ^ Michael Manning, S.V.D. Proclaimed from the Rooftops. Alba House, New York 1977. ISBN# 0-8189-0355-4
2. ^ "On Camera and Off" Autobiography of Father Michael Manning, S.V.D. Servant Publications, Ann Harbour, Michigan 1987.ISBN#0-892833653
3. ^ Fr. Michael Manning, S.V.D. Questions and Answers for Today's Catholics. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee 1990. ISBN# 0-8407-7450-8.
4. ^ Michael Manning, Alba House ISBN# 0-8189-0325-2.
5. ^ http://www.pe.com/rss/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_paulproduction25.3eb8698.html
6. ^ 15 Faces of God: A Quest to Know God through the Parables of Jesus. Doubleday Publishers, ISBN# 978-0385531610
7. ^ http://www.wordnet.tv
8. ^ TV priest Mike Manning on leave after acknowledging affair Los Angeles Times
9. ^ Return to Active Ministry Wordnet Productions

External links

• http://www.wordnet.tv/pdf/Fr-Mike-Bio-7.30.08.pdf

Sources

• http://www.tbn.org/watch-us/our-programs/the-word-in-the-world-hosted-by-father-michael-manning Father Manning on TBN
• http://www.svdvocations.org/getdoc/8478a90c-6dd2-426c-9331-04c06b34413f/Fr--Michael-Manning,-SVD.aspx Divine Word Missionaries
• http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385531610 "15 Faces of God Book" published by DoubleDay, written by Father Michael Manning
• http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0303/11/lkl.00.html CNN Larry King Interview
• http://www.usccb.org/video/reflections.shtml United States Conference Catholic Bishops' Fr. Manning daily Reading Reflections
• http://www.nmtv.org/announcements/pope-honors-fr-michael-manning-of-the-word-in-the-world-on-tbn Pope honors Father Michael Manning
• http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0112/01/lklw.00.html CNN Larry King Live Interview "Can Three Ancient Religions Peacefully Coexist?" Aired December 1, 2001 21:00 ET
• http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0504/01/lkl.01.html CNN Larry King Live Interview "Panel discusses the Life of Pope John Paul II" Aired April 1, 2005 21:00 ET

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