The following comes from a Feb. 4 story on Catholic News Agency.
John David Long-Garcia, the new editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles archdiocese’s The Tidings Corp., says he hopes to build on Catholic newspapers’ mission of bringing people “closer to God and closer to each other.”
“The truth about who we are as human beings is incomplete if it we don’t understand who God is. That’s all part of what the mission is in Catholic journalism,” Long-Garcia told CNA Feb. 4.
“What I believe about the Tidings and what I believe about Catholic newspapers in general is that we share the mission of the Church in saving souls.”
Long-Garcia, a veteran Catholic journalist, previously served as editor of the Diocese of Phoenix’s newspaper, the Catholic Sun, for nearly 10 years. He is now entering the largest U.S. archdiocese and one of the largest dioceses in the world – Los Angeles is home to more than 4.3 million Catholics in a total population of 11.2 million….
Long-Garcia told CNA that Catholic newspapers should be “unabashedly Catholic.” They can help their readers “love God and love each other better by reporting, by strong, solid journalism, by telling the truth. Part of that truth includes the truth about Jesus Christ.”
“We can take our lead from Pope Francis and the way he’s engaging the changing culture, to share the good news about the gospel and share the great joy that we find in our Church,” he said. “Our Holy Father has demonstrated how effective it can be to tell the truth with joy and a heart full of love.”
In the course of his career, Long-Garcia has covered the Catholic Church’s work in Iraqi refugee assistance in Syria and Lebanon, according to the Tidings. He has reported on West Africa’s drought and famine relief, as well as earthquake relief in Haiti. He has reported on immigration issues related to the U.S.-Mexico border and from within Mexico itself.
The Arizona Newspaper Association named Long-Garcia Journalist of the Year for 2013 among non-daily newspapers in Arizona. He has received more than 60 awards for his writing, layout and photography.
Long-Garcia, however, is quick to praise God.
“I would say that most of my success, I can’t take credit for. Most of my success has been by God’s grace,” he said, praising the effect that adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has had in his life.
Included in Long-Garcia’s educational background is a master’s degree in philosophy from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, as well as a master’s degree in theology from the Graduate Theological Union.
A lay Dominican and a member of the Knights of Columbus, he has also taught Scripture and Church history and has been a catechist for children.
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the U.S., Long-Garcia is bilingual in English and Spanish. He stressed the “paramount” need for Spanish-language Catholic publications, given the continued growth of the Hispanic population….
To read the entire story, click here.
GOD bless him.
Mr. Long-Garcia, who did an outstanding job of rehabilitating the Phoenix diocese Catholic Sun from the nadir to which it had sunk under the hand of the prior agitprop pro-Bernardinist editor, now has an equally big task ahead of him with the once proud LA Tidings.
¿Como se dice The Tidings en Español?
Gratias, se llama, “La Vida Nueva”.
After the last quote printed in the above portion of the article; “He stressed the “paramount” need for Spanish-language Catholic publications, given the continued growth of the Hispanic population….”, Long-Garcia is quoted as saying,
“The Catholic press is Latino as well, including myself,” he said.
What is that supposed to mean? That the Catholic press only employees Latino’s?
CCC: “2493 Within modern society the communications media play a major role in information, cultural promotion, and formation.
This role is increasing, as a result of technological progress, the extent and diversity of the news transmitted, and the influence exercised on public opinion.”
CCC: “2496 The means of social communication (especially the mass media) can give rise to a certain passivity among users, making them less than vigilant consumers of what is said or shown. Users should practice moderation and discipline in their approach to the mass media. They will want to form enlightened and correct consciences the more easily to resist unwholesome influences.”
Good schtick! A couple thoughts:
1) I do hope the Tidings steers away from political issues and focuses on the spiritual. Archbishop Gomez has devoted a lot of energy to promoting his views on the illegal immigration issue, which a good Catholic can come down on either side of. When Gomez tells me to be a good Catholic I must support his particular viewpoint, I find it annoying and I turn him off. Bishops–and, I must note, diocesan newspapers are mouthpieces for diocesan bishops–should stay out of politics unless an intrinsic moral evil is involved (e.g. abortion, pornography).
2) I question this editor’s view on the need for Spanish publications. Here in the LA area, our immigrants from Mexico and Central America are poor, do not use the internet, and do not read Catholic newspapers in Spanish. It is a hard community with whom to communicate, because they struggle day-to-day to survive, and don’t have the time or energy to read publications online or in print about Catholic issues. The more educated immigrants speak and read English, so English publications are fine.
3) I hope the Tidings breaks from its past practice of heterodoxy. I remember specifically, for example, reading a full-page article on the latest activities of Call to Action (this was pre-Gomez, by the way), which openly dissents against the teachings of the Church.
No doubt we will see continued cheerleading from the Tidings for Abp. Gomez’s upcoming extravaganza of mockery and dissent, the REC.
Very good news from Archbishop Gomez!!!