In a surprising move, the Vatican is giving MTV praise for its reality television shows about unwed mothers.

In an article outlined by the newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, the apostolic is thrilled with programming like 16 and Pregnant for portraying young women who get into these situations and decided to keep their babies.  The Catholic Church is well known for their stance against abortion practices.

The article, signed by Bellini, says (this is translated) “Finally someone says the arrival of a child is not a tragedy, is a sudden, tiredness, a big change, but it is a factual.”  Bellini went on to say, “The stars of MTV programs have become aware of this reality and gave a positive direction to their lives.”  He speaks out against the “modernist phobia: the fear of having children” and calls the MTV programs well done.

I’m wondering two things here.

1) is the Vatican watching the same MTV programs I am? and 2) Why is the Vatican watching MTV shows about unwed young mothers?  I find the shows about young teen mothers more tragic than anything else.

Do they teach young women the real consequences of having children too early in life?  Yes, but only on certain levels.  The girls on these shows obviously get some sort of money and publicity from MTV to be featured on their programming.  You can help support a child with that kind of money.  Not all girls are that lucky and have to scrounge for help and cash.  While it’s hard to watch these girls fight with themselves over having children, it’s harder to see it in a non-televised setting.

What about the option of adoption?  Do these shows explore that line of thinking?  There are plenty of people who are ready, willing, and able to be parents but through some unfortunate circumstance are unable to conceive.  What about exploring the adoption process?  I almost feel that would be more positive in the long run.

I’ll admit, I rarely venture into the world of MTV, mainly because shows like Jersey Shore make me terrified for my generation, but I worry that the Vatican is shining an undeserving light on the network.