The shrinking diocesan newspaper
Catholic sisters read copies of the Milwaukee Catholic Herald in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in 2002. (Sam Lucero photo)
A former colleague who has served as executive editor of his archdiocesan newspaper for 32 years recently posted a note about the publication’s final commemorative newspaper issue.
“A distinguished era in Catholic journalism in the Archdiocese of New Orleans will culminate June 28, 2025, with the publication of the final newspaper issue in the Clarion Herald’s 63-year history,” Peter Finney wrote on Facebook.
Ever the kind southern gentleman, Finney used his Facebook post to offer a positive spin on the sad occasion. (Read Peter’s column about the Clarion Herald’s closure here.) As one who has been in Peter’s shoes (witnessing the demise of a well-respected print publication), the story behind the story can be different — as noted in a few of the comments on Peter’s post.
“What is maddening is the (archdiocesan) community had NO say, NO warning this decision was about to unfold,” wrote one person.
“The decision to defund the Clarion Herald was literally made by a handful of priests who didn’t want to hear ways to keep the publication as it is,” wrote another.
Last fall, I was asked to respond to a survey about shuttered Catholic newspapers. The survey was conducted by Canadian Catholic News agency “to understand the impact of losing a Catholic newspaper on the Catholic community.”
Editors in U.S. and Canadian dioceses where a newspaper had closed or transitioned between 2013 and 2023 were contacted.
I received the survey results in January. The introduction stated that editors’ responses “highlight recurring themes about the decisions to close Catholic newspapers.” These themes focused on four areas:
— Lack of transparency: “Editors repeatedly mentioned that newspaper closing decisions were made without clear communication or consultation. Many noted diocesan leaders prioritized internal strategies or new communication plans without explaining their rationale or engaging staff and readers. The obscure nature of these decisions left editors feeling excluded and unable to advocate for alternative solutions.”
— Bias toward magazines: “There was a preference among diocesan leaders for transitioning to magazine-style formats. Editors observed that this bias often came at the expense of maintaining journalistic depth and local relevance, with magazines focusing more on positive public relations and entertainment.”
— Financial mismanagement and unrealized strategies: “While financial challenges such as declining subscriptions and advertising revenue were cited, editors felt alternative strategies to sustain newspapers were not adequately explored. Suggestions like increasing circulation campaigns or community financial support were often dismissed in favor of transitioning to a magazine or digital platform.”
— Community disconnection: “Editors reported that the closing of newspapers led to a sense of alienation among parishioners. The replacement formats frequently lacked the local news, events, and engagement opportunities that readers valued.”
The survey results, which totaled nine pages and included responses to 21 questions, concluded with the same general observation: newspapers provide an important service to the church and shuttering them (or moving to monthly magazines) will impact the “community” aspect of each diocese.
For example, asked if closing their paper had an adversarial relationship between the diocese and its parishioners, the survey found “more than a third of editors noted a negative reaction from parishioners who felt less connected to diocesan activities.”
I was among those who found this disconnection to be true, which was described to me by a Compass reader:
“Since I hang with mostly older women, most of them nuns, I have gotten an earful about the loss of The Compass. They are not happy. They miss the ‘news’ that was in The Compass. They don’t feel they are getting the information they feel they need or want from the new publication,” my friend wrote.
“Most have found other ways to stay connected with the church through their parishes. They really miss the newspaper. On Mission (the new monthly magazine) is too infrequent and doesn’t have the kind of practical news we got from the paper. Many don’t engage with social media, so they feel out of touch.”
The report concluded with a key takeaway:
“The future of Catholic newspapers depends on more than money — it depends on commitment. When dioceses invest in their newspapers with the same care they show for their parishes and schools, they don’t just preserve a publication — they preserve a voice for the church in the modern world. Editors believe that Catholic newspapers can thrive, but only if they’re treated as essential to the mission, not optional extras.”
I’m sure Peter Finney would agree.
