For another few decades (two to four?), Catholic journalism will rely to some decreasing extent upon the printing press to turn out local-language news of the Church at home and around the world. But, even so, every editor’s desk should have on it a picture of a tombstone with the name of his or her publication on it.
This does not mean the death of Catholic journalism. The Church’s need for truly honest, relevant and useful sources of information for Asia’s Catholics will grow even as the medium that distributed it in the past diminishes.
The Holy Spirit is active in Asia. Our vocation as Catholics is to know, give thanks for and proclaim that fact. The Spirit works through God’s people, but for the most part, our parishes in Asia are small and scattered, and opportunities to know each other are limited. Catholic journalism provides one of the few tools to introduce us to Christians not only in our own countries, but around the world. When we see other Catholics’ activities, we learn new ways to pray, to worship and to live and share our faith.
We are part of a world Church. Our brothers and sisters live in every land and time. Catholic journalists enable us to meet them and learn how they are a “light for the world.” Scripture, history and the lives of the saints speak of what God has done for and through His people in the past. Journalism tells us what God is doing for and through His people today. We also learn how the Pope, bishops and other Church leaders guide us in our Christian life and proclamation.
[snip}
The time has already passed for those involved in Catholic media to prepare for the post-print age. The electronic age is upon us, and we have no choice but to move toward the death of the Catholic press. The role of Catholic journalism shall remain, even though the mode of delivery will change. This period of decline can and should be a time to develop the necessary journalistic skills for whatever media the future requires.
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