By David Sedeño
The Texas Catholic
Liberal media. Right-wing media. Drive-by media. Mainstream media. Uninformed media.
Chances are that you have heard all of these terms, and probably worse, particularly during the recent political season that polarized this country. With the proliferation of the internet, smartphones, digital platforms and social networking sites, you, too, no doubt, have heard stories that other media will replace newspapers one day soon.
The fact that you are holding a newspaper that you fi nd important indicates that this is not the case, at least for Catholic news.
February is designated as Catholic Press Month by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In light of that, the Catholic Press Association recently compiled data that shows the strength of Catholic newspapers across the country.
In 1951, for example, with the U.S. population at around 146 million, Catholics represented about 19 percent of the U.S. population at around 28 million. There were 95 Catholic newspapers and 269 Catholic magazines with a combined circulation of 8.8 million.
Fast-forward to 2012 and the U.S. population is at 311 million with Catholics representing 21 percent at around 66 million. There are 142 Catholic newspapers and 90 Catholic magazines and newsletters, some in languages other than English, with an estimated 11.8 million circulation. Many of them have an online presence that helps in their evangelization efforts.
Like other Catholic newspapers across the country, we will continue to use our storytelling skills and traditional and high-tech tools to help
Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, the other priests in the diocese, principals, teachers, coaches and staff in our Catholic schools, and leaders in the Catholic community in bringing to you messages of faith, hope, love and charity that will continue to bind us and make us proud as Catholics in the Diocese of Dallas.
And, as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops finds itself at the forefront of the debates of governmental policies that continue to threaten our Catholic faith and religious freedom, The Texas Catholic will be there to bring you that coverage from a Catholic perspective.
As thousands upon thousands of people gather privately and silently and en masse for prayer, rallies and marches for an end to abortion that has taken 55 million lives since 1973, The Texas Catholic will continue to be there.
As elected leaders seek to pull together legislation that will lead to true immigration reform, The Texas Catholic will be there.
And the list goes on. We will continue to bring those stories to you with a Catholic and faith perspective, like Cathy Harasta’s wonderful story about the Oliver family on Page 13 that you won’t get from the “mainstream media.”
We at The Texas Catholic recognize the great privilege and responsibility placed on us in bringing the important Catholic news and information to you. With your prayers and support, and that of our Publisher, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, we will continue to do that for many years to come, both in print and on various digital platforms as we strive to reach our young Catholics, the future for both our faith and country.
