Editor’s Note: The very first issue of the Catholic Star Herald published May 11, 1951. Among the articles to appear on the front page of that inaugural issue: a message from the Diocese of Camden’s bishop at that time, Bishop Bartholomew J. Eustace, S.T.D.
May 1, 1951
Dearly Beloved of the Clergy and Laity,
With this issue of the paper, we launch the Catholic Star Herald on its career.
We do this at an important moment in the history of the world. Since we are not ambitious, we do not hope to change the course of history. We propose, nevertheless, to present as best we can to a changing world the changeless message of the Gospel.
The present effort has already entailed considerable sacrifice. It will call for further sacrifice. It is, however with supreme confidence that we ask our Priests and people to support this venture.
Pius X, of holy memory, once said that he would sell his episcopal ring and pectoral cross to further the interest of the Catholic press. We also would gladly do that, or something similar.
The Catholic press is the principal estate of the Church. Very few things of the temporal order owned by the Church are as valuable as its press. The press is one of its best messengers, truly, a herald of the word which it carries far and wide. The spoken word will never indeed be replaced; but the written word most effectively supplements the spoken word. The modern Evangelist is both a preacher and a writer.
The Star Herald is our Diocesan paper. It will carry full accounts of Diocesan and Parochial activities. But it will not be merely a chronicle of local events. It will also inform as to world issues. It will instruct as to doctrine. It will edify as to goodness wherever goodness is found. It will be dedicated to truth. It will be a guiding star.
It will be a light over truth. There is no balance of equality between truth and error. The Star Herald will never concede to this twain equal rights. It will present the truth as it sees it, being guided in this by Revelation, by the teachings of the Catholic Church, and by right reason. No one will ever find in these pages the assertion that truth once found does not exclude its opposite.
The Star Herald is our Diocesan organ of information and formation. It will present facts without slanting; but on the basis of the facts it will take a position. Thus its object will be both to inform and to form.
Freighted as it is with so many hopes, we ask God to bless it and our Blessed Mother to protect it. I devoutly hope that the Catholic Star Herald will find its way into every Catholic home throughout the Diocese.
In these days when false information is being disseminated, our paper will serve as a corrective. At these times when so many false theories are advanced, our paper will serve to challenge these theories. At all times and everywhere it will try to spread good will; but never at the sacrifice of complete truth. It is in full measure consecrated to the interests of God and to the diffusion of good will among men. It will often defend; seldom will it be allowed to attack. It will not attempt, after the manner of the ancient fallacy, to fit facts to theories. On the basis of facts it will try to erect a citadel of honest truth and a house of impregnable integrity.
Most Reverend Bartholomew J. Eustace
Bishop of Camden
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