Diocesan newspapers 'light the fire of faith,' says international board

By JERRY FILTEAU
Catholic News Service
Washington

Diocesan newspapers deserve new emphasis as a means of spreading the Gospel and connecting Catholics to one another and their Church, said the board of directors of the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.

"Diocesan publications can light the fire of faith that warms hearts to action for the good of all," the CPA board said in a statement released April 10.

"Recently the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies announced a bold initiative, the opening of 76 new diocesan newspapers," the board said.

"That same type of emphasis is needed in the United States and Canada," it said.

Helen Osman, CPA president, said the statement was sparked by the strong support Pope Benedict expressed for the diocesan press at a meeting with the Italian papers in November.

Diocesan newspapers "are vehicles of evangelization and accountability, offering a way for Catholics to make their faith relevant to their daily lives," the board said.

In many Catholic households the diocesan newspaper may be the only Catholic reading material, it said.

"Diocesan publications are often the first step for Catholics who are interested in reading and learning more about their faith," it said.

It added that a diocesan newspaper offers the local bishop an opportunity to reach out directly to his people on a regular basis.

Diocesan newspapers help their readers "realize that they are part of a larger family that extends well beyond their parish" to the entire Catholic world.

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