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Show o THE WORK OF CATHOLIIC NEWSPAPERS. NEWS-PAPERS. More than once a reference has been made in this column to the great necessity for a good Catholic journal in every Catholic home. It is of interest in-terest to know that thoughtful people peo-ple across the Atlantic are also impressing im-pressing upon the Catholic heads of families and workmen -their obligation to subscribe for and read religious newspapers. The following letter is taken from a London paper, The Catholic Cath-olic Times, of recent date: "Miss Richardson tells us her conversion con-version wa's brought about mainly by reading a Catholic newspaper. 'S. R.,' in your last issue while agreeing with Miss Richardson as to the value of the Catholic paper in inducing non-Catholics non-Catholics to inquire as to teachings of the Catholic church; touches upon the necessity of a Catholic newspaper being looked upon as indispensable in every Catholic household. With 'S. R.' I entirely agree as to the benefits bene-fits derived by having a Catholic paper pa-per in the home. Alas! how few Catholics support the Catholic press. How many there are who seldom, If ever, read a Catholic newspaper, whilst they eagerly peruse the ordinary ordi-nary newspapers teeming with reports re-ports of murders, divorce cases, and all kinds of scandals. The secular press, though not openly hostile to the Church, often contains matters which cannot fail to be injurious to luke warm catnoiics. Hence tne necessity of the Catholic newspaper as an antidote. anti-dote. How are we to have a powerful Catholic press when so many Catholics Catho-lics through apathy, carelessness and various causes do not support it? Is it reasonable to expect Catholic writers to devote their time and ability abil-ity to furthering the interests of the Church when their efforts are insufficiently insuffi-ciently appreciated? "Much more might be done if our clergy would continually advocate the advantages of a really healthy Catholic press. Far be it from me to say anything that might be construed into a reflection upon a body of gentlemen, gen-tlemen, who, in the midst of many difficulties, are quietly, though none the less effectively, doing Christ's work; but I do think, seeing the deadly influence of modern literature which finds its way into . Catholic homes, our clergy should, even from the pulpit, urge their congregations to purchase and study Catholic newspapers, newspa-pers, periodicals, Catholic Truth Society's So-ciety's publications, etc. It may not be wise to single out any particular paper. "A few words from the puplit as to the value of the Catholic press and the necessity of having at least one Catholic paper In their homes, would, I am sure, bear excellent fruit In counteracting the degrading effects of trashy newspapers, novelettes, etc. A Catholic paper penetrates where a priest cannot possibly go. Take, for instance, any large factory where hundreds of men are employed. It is no unusual thing to see friendly mates who work side by side during the day and get their meals together discussing discuss-ing something printed on the paper. If this should chance to be a report of a scandal you see at once how harmful harm-ful it becomes; if, on the contrary, it contains matter tending to elevate these workmen and turn their minds to noble thoughts, this simple piece of newspaper may eventually lead to good results. "A Baptist friend of mine buys the Catholic Times every week and gets his daughter to read it for him, and this is due to his having picked up an old piece of the Catholic Times which one of the men left on the bench inside in-side the works, and which fortunately fortunate-ly contained a short article which pleased him. A most remarkable thing, as it is to this I wish to draw the attention of the clergy, is that though he studies the Catholic Times every week and brings cuttings for me to explain he would not on any account approach a" priest for information infor-mation on Catholic doctrine. I mention men-tion this case (by no means the only one that has come under my personal notice) to show that where a priest can get no opportunity of doing good a newspaper may succeed in the work of the Church. My belief in the efficacy of the Catholic Cath-olic newspaper and kindred publications publica-tions is so strong, that I have no hesitation hes-itation whatever in appealing to our clergy to use the power which they undoubtedly possess in drawing the attention of Catholics to the insidious poison contained in some of our modern mod-ern newspapers, novelettes, and such like, and in impressing upon them the absolute necessity of supporting a healthy and enlightened Catholic press." The INew World. |
