It was a moment of “pride” as the Catholic Media Services Ltd (CAMSEL) launched the Catholic News’ website and digital archive as part of the paper’s 125^th anniversary celebrations.

CAMSEL’s General Manager Lucille Nathu said the archive was an “historical resource of the Church” providing easy access to the general public and researchers in particular and further endorses the company’s commitment “to use all media available in the technological age”.

Addressing the launch at the Apostolic Nunciature, St Clair, she said over its 125 years the Catholic News has worked to honour the spirit of early pioneers. In doing this it “set a benchmark for a nationally, regionally and internationally recognised high standard in Church affairs and national, international events that were accurately recorded in history”.

She disclosed the Catholic News over the past 25 years “embraced the global technological age, to remain relevant and to reach more people through digitisation”.  She thanked outgoing Nuncio Archbishop Nicola Girasoli for the support that enabled CAMSEL to partner with the Papal Foundation to fund the preservation and dissemination of the Catholic News’ archive.

Nathu said the 125^th anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the paper’s rich history. Citing an extract from the front page of May 6, 1892 she told attendees that from then to now, the Catholic News “has never wavered from its mission – In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essentials, Liberty; In All Things, Charity – the very purpose for which the paper was founded”.

In giving thanks, she first thanked God then the visionaries whose guidance and leadership took the paper from the past to the present. Nathu paid tribute to the pioneering spirit of predecessors whose vision of community service has grown substantially and touched many lives in the process. “Today, we stand with them, looking forward to building a future that others will be proud to build upon,” she said.

She thanked all the persons who ensured the availability of Catholic News at all Masses in Trinidad and Tobago and the dedication and commitment of CAMSEL staff, distributors, photographers, writers and proof readers for making the paper the success it is today. Nathu said, “We shall continue to work with you and for you in recognising the mission and vision of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain as the Church and voice of all the people of God”.