The Catholic media
The media concerns us all. It shapes us and our society. Much of the media we consume has a corrupting influence that runs counter to the Christian ethic. Often this effect is immediately evident, sometimes it is insidious. The Christian media in general is fulfilling an important function in countervailing these corrupting influences.
Adapting an old aphorism, it may be said that you are what you read. Entrepreneurs will keep up with developments in their field by reading business publications, computer technicians read publications relevant to their trade, and golfers are likely to read golf magazines.
It should follow that committed Catholics would make use of the Catholic media, which covers what occupies a place of centrality in their lives. Remarkably, many do not. There may be several reasons for that. One is that, frankly, the Catholic media can be tedious if its editors do not beware. The Southern Cross consequently strives to publish a lively, edifying, engaging, informative and thought-provoking newspaper.
Lack of promotion of the Catholic media is another reason for this sense of apathy. We therefore welcome and endorse Cardinal Wilfrid Napier’s call on every parish in Durban to promote the Catholic press, and hope that it will be heard beyond his archdiocese. His proposal that each parish nominate a promoter of the Catholic media is astute. Experience has shown that parishes that actively back the Catholic media record higher sales than those who fail to provide such support.
Few Catholics will have been weakened in their faith by reading The Southern Cross–or Trefoil, Worldwide, Grace & Truth, Challenge and UmAfrika.
Indeed, for most Catholics, there is no other way of keeping in touch with the community of believers–one which is not confined to parish boundaries but spans continents–than the Catholic press. As importantly, at a time when the Catholic Church is under attack from hostile and often ignorant adversaries, the Catholic media arms the reader with the requisite ammunition–that of self-knowledge–to defend the Church.
What good reason could there be not to take advantage of the benefits offered by the Catholic media?
- The Look of Christ - May 24, 2022
- Putting Down a Sleeping Toddler at Communion? - March 30, 2022
- To See Our Good News - March 23, 2022
