Catholic Media’s Mission

by Editor · May 1, 2016

“…Present the world through the lens of our faith”

On April 13, just after a 2pm staff meeting, the editor of Catholic News Service (CNS) in Washington DC was escorted from his office and forced to resign his position. The reasons for the effective dismissal of Tony Spence, a prize-winning journalist with more than 30 years’ experience in the Catholic media, remain murky. Speculations centre on tweets posted by Mr Spence on the debate about legislated toilet etiquette for transgendered people in North Carolina.

“… giving [Catholic Teachings] expression through the actions of the people we report on and through the thoughts of those who write in the newspaper”.

Reportedly, officials in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, which owns CNS, acted on pressure from conservative groups in removing Mr Spence, even though his tweets did not contradict Church teachings (there are none on questions of who should be allowed to visit which restroom). It has been no secret that Mr Spence had long been under pressure from some quarters which wanted CNS articles to be more partisan on certain matters.

The Southern Cross frequently reproduces material from CNS precisely because the news service’s content has been marked by the highest levels of journalistic integrity. With its excellent staff, we trust that these high standards will be maintained.

It is of great concern, however, that a faithful servant of the Church like Mr Spence should have been treated so poorly by Catholic officials, without even being afforded a hearing — and in the Year of Mercy at that. He no doubt would have been treated with greater respect had he been a priest.

Even more insidiously, the US bishops have dismissed a man of integrity who placed a high value on journalistic ethics, of which editorial balance is a crucial element, above the competing special interests of Catholics in a divided Church.

Under Mr Spence, Catholic News Service did exactly what Catholic media is supposed to do: present the world through the lens of our faith. The Southern Cross defines itself along these lines. In presenting the world through the lens of our faith, we try to give a voice to the broad range in which Catholics live and understand their faith.

Another mission of The Southern Cross is to communicate the rich teachings of the Church, which are not just lifeless letters on a printed page but at work in all practising Catholics on a daily basis.

But the teachings cannot be communicated simply by restating them. We must contextualise the teachings, giving them expression through the actions of the people we report on and through the thoughts of those who write in the newspaper. And sometimes this means that Catholics will exercise their right to appeal to the teaching authority of the Church, asking that a doctrine may find a new pastoral application or that a discipline be adapted to conform with present needs.

The Catholic media is called to produce content through which the faithful can engage with their faith: by being edified, educated, evangelised and encouraged, by being challenged, and by being given a voice, even when that might ruffle feathers.

The Southern Cross has the benefit and challenge of serving the whole Catholic community of South Africa in all its diversity. This newspaper is a meeting place in which competing points of view within Catholic thought must find accommodation. Our lively letters page is a testament to this public forum, bringing together fellow believers who otherwise might not encounter one another.

Many faithful Catholics are battling with serious family issues, such as homosexuality, divorce, brokenness and so on. Pope Francis has called us to a deep understanding of these issues and to show mercy. The Southern Cross can show mercy by providing a forum for different viewpoints and for the reiteration of the reasons behind Church teaching. If an article brings clarity, shows how others carry a burden or provides enlightenment, then we are serving this important need.

Invariably, a Catholic newspaper that seeks to do all this will attract some criticism. We are prepared to engage with well-reasoned critique. At the same time, it is our promise to our readers that The Southern Cross will remain the Catholic newspaper for all the faithful. And in this we are comforted to know that we do have the support of our bishops’ conference.