Diocesan paper celebrates 40th anniversary

BELIZE

Diocesan monthly The Christian Herald celebrated the 40th anniversary of the publication of its first issue this month (September 1979).

In 1979, the Catholic diocese of Belize City and Belmopan began its own newspaper under the direction of founding editor Fr John Maher SJ. Its inspiration, according to the Herald, came from a 1978 gathering known as ‘Diocesan Assembly One,’ and the recommendation voiced by people from all over the country for a means of regular communication of Church events, teaching and inspirational matter.

To date, the paper has continuously served as a regular monthly means of communication among all the Catholic parishes of Belize. Today, some 3,000 copies a month are distributed in the six districts of Belize.

It is published ten times a year, with no issues in July and August. In addition, three high schools and one primary school get a substantial number of copies for use by their students.

Articles and illustrations include a mix of news, commentary and catechetical themes and are for the most part written locally by priests, religious and lay people.

The paper began with the enthusiastic backing of then Bishop Robert Hodapp SJ and has continued with the full support of his successors Bishop OP Martin, Bishop Emeritus Dorick Wright, Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Glancy and  Bishop Lawrence Nicasio, present bishop of Belize City and Belmopan.