For decades, The Christophers have proudly and optimistically proclaimed that “it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” They’ve shed that light, most famously, on television, with the long-running program, “Christopher Closeup.” Now, after six decades, it’s going off the air this Sunday.

The press release follows:

Long before televised mega-concerts became fashionable for raising awareness of important causes and motivating individuals to take a more active role in making a difference, The Christophers were using television, on a more modest scale, to promote personal responsibility and getting out the message “You can change the world.”

“Christopher Closeup,” the weekly public affairs show produced by the Christophers and one of the longest continuously- running programs in television history, will air its final episode at the end of the summer. Among current TV programs only “Meet the Press” and “Today” on NBC, the CBS soap “Guiding Light” and “The CBS Evening News” can claim greater longevity.

First broadcast in 1952, the internationally-syndicated half-hour talk show features interviews with individuals who through their positive contributions are “shaping tomorrow’s world – today.” Over its 55 year run, politicians, celebrities, sports figures, respected journalists and scientists, social activists and Nobel Peace Laureates have graced its set to discuss such wide-ranging issues as racism, global poverty, genocide, education, mentoring, faith and religion, raising special needs children and the role of artists in society.

Notable guests have included Elie Wiesel, Arthur Ashe, Ed Bradley, Dorothy Day, Pete Seeger, Charles Osgood, Hugh Downs, Jim Henson, Ralph Nader, Tim Russert, Cesar Chavez, Bob and Dolores Hope, Sister Helen Prejean, Mike Wallace, Alex Haley, Ken Burns, Bill Moyers and Fred Rogers.

“It was a very difficult decision,” said Dennis Heaney, president and chief executive officer of The Christophers, “but given the evolving media landscape we think it’s the right opportunity to focus our resources on emerging technologies like podcasts and webcasts, as well as reinforcing our presence on broadcast and satellite radio.”

“Christopher Closeup” is currently broadcast on commercial and cable outlets and is seen in 166 foreign countries through the Armed Forces Network.
“We take pride in the fact that we had such an outstanding run in a fickle TV universe where ten years is considered a long time.” Heaney added.

In addition to The Christophers work in television and radio, the organization also hosts its annual Christopher Awards, celebrating its 59th year, which recognizes works of literature, film and television that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.” Past recipients include Stephen Spielberg, David Halberstam, Charles Schulz, and Children’s Television Workshop creator Joan Ganz Cooney, who credited The Christophers for inspiring her life’s work. Special award recipients have included Craig Kielburger, who, at age fourteen, founded “Free the Children,” an organization dedicated to abolishing forced child labor around the world.

Youth programs include a college video contest requiring students to produce a short documentary/narrative film with the theme “one person can make a difference.” Last year’s winner, “Darius Goes West,” about a group of teens driving their terminally-ill friend cross-country, was expanded into a feature film that screened at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The Christophers also offer a national scholarship contest for high school students in which they are asked to interpret the same theme through poster art, with the winners displayed at the Donnell Branch of the New York Public Library.

Maryknoll Father James Keller founded the Christophers in 1945 with the purpose of using media to encourage individuals “of all ages and from all walks of life” to use their God-given talents to make a positive difference in the world, adopting as The Christophers motto the ancient Chinese proverb: “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

I had the good fortune of receiving a Christopher Award several years ago for my work on the documentary “9/11.” It was one award that really mattered to me, because of the values it celebrates.

The Christophers have always tried to speak to what is best in the human spirit. The end of their “Closeup” series is a real loss for television, and for us all.

But let’s hope and pray The Christophers continue their great work in other media, and continue to light the dark around us.