Telepace Catholic TV from Italy via satellite available in Perth on Optus D2.
By Anthony Barich
The Italian Catholic television station Telepace has hit Australia, with a new push for local content for Australian viewers.
Concerted efforts are being made by local members of the Italian community to include Perth diocesan events, including Padre Pio Day where hundreds of pilgrims gather for Mass and a full day of prayer.
Archbishop Barry Hickey, the president of Telepace Australia, hosted Monsignor Guido Todeschini, president of Telepace Italia, and Giovanni Cereghini, President of Telepace international, at St Mary’s Parish Centre in Leederville on March 29 to launch the brand in Perth.
A group of sponsors from the Italian community – Vince and Carl Alessandrino, Charlie Tricoli, the Acciari Family, Frank Paolino; and Fabrizzio and Franca Roberti – have already enabled Telepace to be shown at Villa Terenzio Italian Aged Care Facility in Marangaroo.
Telepace can be seen on Perth televisions if EWTN or Foxtel is already installed. If EWTN is installed, a code given by Perth Telepace organisers will give access to Telepace, which has studios in Verona and Rome.
A small Foxtel dish will enable Telepace to be shown, but the Foxtel must be disconnected. If there is no dish, there is a once-off fee for the installation of a satellite dish if there are no extra fees.
Much of the content comes from Italy, though there are also segments catering for Armenia, France, Lebanon, Portugal, Jerusalem, Iran, Germany, the Mediterreanean and North Africa, among other countries.
Telepace, which is funded by charitable donations, started when children from a diocesan school in Cerna, a small village 20km from Verona, were listening to the radio and said how good it would be if there was a Catholic program on the radio.
In 1977 Radio Pace was born, publicising diocesan events, followed in 1979 by Telepace.
Monsignor Guido Todeschini, or “Don Guido”, as he is known, was commissioned by the late Pope John Paul II to record papal events; Telepace covered World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI also invited the Monsignor to accompany him on his recent tour to the African continent.
For enquiries call Rose Fiorucci 08 9201 0337 or 0437700247, or email gram07@amnet.net.au or go to www.telepace.it.