TVOntario (TVO) ran a live 90-minute current affairs program, Speaking Out, for 14 seasons, produced by Carol Burtin Fripp.
On October 10, 1985, ‘the controversial Catholic theologian Hans Küng’ was the show’s featured guest. Controversial? A word the media still love. However, Dr. Küng dealt with life as a priest confronting the real world.
After the program, he presented Carol with a signed book which had not been the subject of his talk. Its back-cover copy states that ‘On Being a Christian’ ‘is written for those who … want to know what Christianity, what being a Christian, really means. Küng explained his own mission: ‘‘I’m only trying to help people love Jesus more.’
‘On Being a Christian’ is written also for those: who do not believe , but nevertheless seriously inquire; who did believe, but are not satisfied with their unbelief; who do believe, but feel insecure in their faith; who are at a loss, between belief and unbelief …’ His list goes on.
Father Küng returned to Tübingen, Germany, with a mug embossed with the name of Carol’s series, Speaking Out.
“That’s exactly what we should be doing,” he told her, taking his leave.