The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-04-28
Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.
FEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY, APRIL %. 1879.
The Importance of Vigorous Catholic Newspapers

A3w O6AAA0os oc<$NAAs "a AAAS 90 ~S'~'
The Importance of Vigorous Catholic Newspapers.
Every one who is at all familiar with
modern literature knows that it is thor
ouchly anti Catholic. 1t is so in every de-
partment-history, philosophy, essays, cri-
ticism, poetry, novels. Where they have
not this character obviously, they are not
their fundamental ideas and leading
thoughts, and general tendency, are all OPP |
posed to the Church and the truths it be-
lieves and teaches.
paper press. And it is even mere potent
than the less ephemeral forms of literature
just mentioned, in creating and main tain
ing prejudices, widespread and obstinate,
against Catholics and their faith-preju-
dices the more obstinate and difficult to re-
move, because they are not grounded on
distinct and definite ideas, but are the re-
sult of impressions made gradually and
imperceptibly, and therefore incapable of
analysis, and of being traced to their real
origin: c..,o,;.. ,.uo ~.
think, duly considered the nature and
power of the fundamentally that is being
employed against them. They cannot,
however, afford to overlook it. In every
conceivable way-by, pictures and carica-
lures, sneers, innuendoes and pasquinades,
as we'll as by more serious forms Of naisre-
presentation-by distorted and wrongly
cOlored historical sketches, sopbistical ar
guments, and the advocacy of error under
countless forms, the newspaper press. both
secular and religious, is attacking the Church
on every side, and seeking to corrupt the
faith of her children. Aud this warfare is
without respite or cessation. The attacks
are renewed weekly and daily. There is |
NO escaping the perniclous influence of this
house, and reaches every family in the land.
1t speaks to thousands who listen to no
other voice. 1t influences unconsciously,
perhaps, and therefore the more effectively,
the firmest in their opinions, as we'll as
those who are tickle.
How shall this evil, so universally pre-
valent, 80 all pervading, SO potent for harm,
80 especially pernicious to the faith and
virtue of the young, be counteracted 1t is
vain to say, " Do not take newspapers, for
friends from taking or reading them" You
might as we'll try to exclude al, from your
dwelling as the newspaper from your family
and friends. 1t is welcomed by all classes
OF persons, old and young, rich aud poor,
learned and ignorant, the virtuous and the
wicked. The scholar reads it in bis study,
the laborer listens as its words are spelled
ont to eager circles at the corner grocery
Or the village store" To the majority Of
persons it is daily necessity as much as.
their breakfast. 20
The newspaper, therefore, cannot be ex-
cIuded. The only way to prevent it's doing
harm is to mould it into the type and All it
with the spirit of goodness. To drive ont
bad newspapers, you must introduce good
ones. To counterfeit the influences of those
that are anti Catholic, you must support
and circulate those that are pro Catholic.
Here then arises the necessity for vigor-
ous and ably conducted Catholic news
papers, prepared TO defend the truth against
all attacks, to explain honest misconstruc.
lions, to correct wilful Misrepresentation,
expose false statements, refute sophistical
arguments, assault and overthrow the mere
scientific forms of unbelief, and, above all,
TO effectively illustrate and advocate posi-
tive Catholic principles. Such q press will
ever reached as many minds as a newspaper
cant His word, when once spoken, dies
but the printed word remains, and men
may read 1t again and again. A well con-
the thoughts and knowledge of many, and
sends them through the land.
Professionalism has been hitherto allowed
almost exclusive control of this potent in
strumentality for influencing opinion. 1t
Catholics should also avail themselves of it.
Next to the Church and the school should
come the Catholic newspaper. In the esti-
nation of many it already holds that place,
and 1t ia fast coming to be more justly and
an engine of power. The Holy Father has
given his encouragement and sanction to
using the press in the service of religion,
Tho Bishops and clergy mostly encourage
the circulation of Catholic newspapers, and
spend portion of their scanty incomes to
support them. The laity have not as vet
extended that general support to Catholic
papers which they should, but they are
coming to do 80 more and more, and we
hope that the time is not far distant when
every Catholic family will receive and read
no newspapers but those that-whether
secular or religious--are in full and perfect
in the conflict it must ever wage with the
world, and that are thoroughly pervaded
in their every department by genuine
Catholic spirit and life. The first step to-
wards this is the sustaining of we'll. con-
newspapers. Afterwards, in due time, Ca. |
thollc secular newspapers will follow
Philadelphia Catholic Standard.