The Apostolate of the Press

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6, 11 February 1909, Page 209

The Apostolate of the Press

In its current (February) issue, our gifted contemporary, the Austral Light (Melbourne) pays the Neio Zealand Tablet the high compliment of placing it ' in the front rank amongst Catholic weekly newspapers. 3 On the broad question of Catholic journalism generally the Light publishes these illuminating remarks: ' A Catholic newspaper is not a mere purveyor of news and record of tittle-tattle/ Almost every public question has an aspect favorable or otherwise to the Church,- and the Catholic paper should declare the Catholic standpoint. It has to expose fallacies, to give warning of danger, to answer objections, to meet difficulties, to suggest remedies, to- explain principles, to advocate Catholic interests in every department of social life, to attack when attack is needed,-to defend when danger presses at any point, to sxipport the action of the Church' 1" authorities, and to uphold the principles of Christian morality. This is the noble mission of the Catholic press.' The Light then adds: ' Though the newspaper is ephemeral, and though each copy has a butterfly existence, the general effect is persistent, for week after week the influence is renewed. It reaches where the priest cannot touch, instructs where the priest cannot teach, and brings back" Catholic tone and Catholic feeling where the seed has been sown, but is still waiting for development. This is truly an apostolate.'