In 2025, CathNews will be published by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC).
The Church Resources Ltd board, the current publisher of CathNews, recently made this decision.
The move follows the closure of NZ Catholic in June and the promise of a new publication.
Forward looking – a new chapter
This change marks a new chapter for CathNews, which has played a unique role in delivering news, analysis, and commentary of interest to the Catholic Church community.
The decision also aligns with broader changes within the Catholic media landscape in New Zealand.
The NZCBC’s request to take over CathNews was the fourth received by the publication.
The announcement comes as CathNews reports impressive readership statistics: 4,490,401 articles were read between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024.
However, while transferring the asset, NZCBC Executive Officer Damian Dempsey confirmed that the Bishops Conference did not require the current CathNews writers. This left Church Resources Chair Fr Kevin Conroy SM with the difficult task of informing the lay staff that they would lose their jobs just before Christmas.
Thanks to writers, contributors and readers
For quite some time, CathNews has been shaped by the dedication of its writers, Juliet, Ronan, and behind the scenes, Gerard, who for some time were instrumental in producing CathNews twice weekly.
These people brought diverse life experiences and talents to the publication, often supporting each other to ensure continuity.
The team worked from various points within New Zealand, Australia, multiple parts of Asia, several European countries, and the US. CathNews never missed a publication, even during COVID.
Earlier, Pat McCarthy and Michael Otto also played significant roles as writers.
It is essential to say that just because they wrote about a topic from a particular perspective does not mean they wrote personally. They were doing their job.
Fr Denis O’Hagan SM also played a critical role in CathNews, helping establish its credibility and serving as its first editor. Denis had a particular interest in the gospel in broader society, and his passing earlier this year was a significant loss to the publication and its readers.
Several contributors, including Dr Joe Grayland, Professor Thomas O’Loughlin, Dr Phyllis Zagano, Joy Cowley, and occasionally Dr Christopher Longhurst, enriched CathNews with their experience and significant insightful commentary on the Church and society.
However, the unsung heroes of CathNews are its readers and those who have told their friends about it.
CathNews was compiled and managed on the ‘charge of a regularly near empty rechargeable battery’. It was never advertised, so its growth was primarily by word of mouth.
Therefore, a thank you to the readers who enjoyed the publication sufficiently to promote it.
Others to thank are numerous people who offered comments and substantiated stories.
New Zealand is a small place where everyone knows our name, so most of these CathNews commentators wished to remain anonymous and changed their names and, occasionally, even their gender!
Regardless of name or gender, these real people with real perspectives gave gravitas to stories. Thank you.
There may still be a lesson in Denis O’Hagan’s only opinion piece for CathNews, which we are re-publishing again today.
One distinct difference between publishing a newspaper and publishing online is the feedback statistics provide. CathNews heard you.
An occasional look at the list of countries where CathNews was read shows the reach of interest and the opportunity this medium presents, so a particular ‘shout-out’ to international readers recommending this New Zealand service to their friends, particularly in Australia and the United States.
Another highlight was the forward thinking of some priests who included seamlessly selected news in their parish newsletters.
Interestingly, on one occasion, the seamless syndication was promptly terminated when the priest shifted, and the communication role was transferred to a layperson.
CathNews enjoyed the support of a major sponsor. Without its significant backing and encouragement, CathNews would never have happened. On behalf of the readers, a sincere thank you. The sponsor always likes prayers.
CathNews was never Catholic News
While some referred to CathNews as “Catholic News,” it never aimed to fit this mould. Instead, CathNews provided news and analysis of interest to the Catholic Church while addressing broader societal concerns, including AI, child poverty, housing, and modern technology.
A parish priest more than once suggested that CathNews only report on Catholic-specific issues and avoid controversial topics.
For those with similar views, we recommend reflecting on paragraph one of Gaudium et Spes.
CathNews was never limited to “news from inside a walled garden” but explored issues relevant to the Church in the modern world.
However, some critics felt CathNews was too liberal, not loyal, did not go far enough, or was not spiritual enough.
The publication carved a niche by maintaining editorial independence. Its mission was to inform and promote thoughtful reflection, and as such, it served as a possible seedbed for prayer.
To reference Pope Francis, there’s room for ‘everyone’.
Readers must opt-in to get the new CathNews
In January 2026, under NZCBC management, CathNews will undergo editorial changes.
While some readers may embrace the shift, others may not.
Following CathNews’s privacy policy, existing readers must opt-in to receive the new version.
Opting out is not sufficient.
Flashes of Insight
As CathNews transitions, a small global initiative, Flashes of Insight, is in its planning stages.
It will target forward-thinking readers.
A weekly publication will offer concise reflections and in-depth commentary on critical issues. Details about how to subscribe will be announced soon.
Flashes of Insight will remain free.
Today’s edition
Today’s edition of CathNews is a little different. In effect it’s virtual fish n chip paper, it’s yesterday’s news.
The stories on today’s page are a range of popularly read stories that cover an range of topics that CathNews have covered over the past thirteen years.
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News category: Analysis and Comment, Features, Top Story.
