Archbishop William Slattery: There’s a Death in the Family

by Letters Editor · July 30, 2020

It is a very sad moment in the history of the Catholic Church of South Africa to learn that our beloved weekly as we knew it will soon be no more.

The Southern Cross ensured that we of the Catholic family of South Africa shared each other’s joys, celebrations and struggles for almost 100 years.

It brought the news of the Church throughout the world into our Sunday homes and made us part of a great Catholic family.

I am deeply appreciative of the editor and staff who have been heroic in this very difficult time for print media. You have had to work with great generosity in seasons of deep financial uncertainty.

While the present pandemic has been a mortal blow, one is somehow ashamed that we the Catholic Church in Southern Africa have not done more over the years.

I can only imagine the feelings of the editor and dedicated staff who worked so feverishly each week to bring out a new product and who now face retrenchment.

As dedicated people, how sad it is to know that you will no more have the joy of holding each new weekly printed copy in your hands, another job well done.

It is very sad to see something beautiful to which you have dedicated years of life fade from sight and be no more. There is a death in our family this year.

The commitment of some of the present staff to continue to bring out a weekly Southern Cross, in digital format, while working on a freelance basis at substantial financial sacrifice and the promise to relaunch as a monthly magazine does bring some hope and consolation.

One hopes that we as Catholics respond with equal generosity to the promotion of the new endeavour.

By Archbishop William Slattery, OFM, Pretoria