PORTLAND – Efforts are under way to bring the first radio station to Maine devoted to Catholic programming.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, various Knights of Columbus groups and a Waterville religious order are among those that have filed at least 10 applications with the Federal Communications Commission to operate a noncommercial station with Catholic programming.

The groups plan to primarily broadcast programming from the Eternal World Television Network and possibly syndicated programming from other Catholic sources such as Relevant Radio and Ave Maria Radio, according to the applications. The groups say they hope to eventually develop and produce locally oriented programming.

“We certainly do feel there should be Catholic radio in Maine,” said Sister Mary Catherine Perko of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament in Waterville. “It’s something we’ve been hoping for, for sure. We never thought there would be the possibility of making an application until the FCC opened up the possibility.”

The last time the FCC accepted applications for noncommercial educational FM stations was seven years ago. This time around, more than 40 applications were submitted in Maine.

Other Christian groups – including Augusta-based Light of Life Ministries, Bangor Baptist Church, Calvary Chapel of Portland and the Positive Radio Network – account for at least 18 applications.

Other applicants include the University of Maine System, an Indian organization and high school students in Falmouth.

The license application process is complicated and competitive, and it could be several years before licenses are granted.

The effort to bring a Catholic radio station to Maine is part of a larger push to increase the church’s presence on the airwaves. There are now 157 Catholic stations nationwide.

Catholic groups filed 226 applications during the application period in October, said Stephen Gajdosik, president of the Catholic Radio Association.

He credited Bishop Richard Malone, the head of Maine’s Catholic diocese, for the relatively high number of applications in Maine, given its small population.