Important announcement about The Witness publication

Please be advised that after careful consideration that included a thorough review of subscriptions, finances, and available resources, it has been decided that the archdiocese will discontinue The Witness at 4:30 PM on 30 September 2020. The issue dated 4 October 2020 will be the last. 

Subscribers are becoming aware of this news as the current issue arriving on ‘doorsteps’ this weekend contains this announcement. Subscribers will also receive a letter with detailed information in the near future.

Since the first issue on 24 February 1921, The Witness, described at that time as “A weekly journal devoted to the interests of the Catholic Church” has been sharing news and stories from the global, national, and local archdiocesan Church with its subscribers.

The Witness has not been immune to the strains and hardships experienced by the greater newsprint industry in recent years. The declining number of subscribers–and therefore the reach of the publication–is in stark contrast to the amount of resources needed to continue publishing. This is true even after reducing the number of issues by half during the last fiscal year.

No endeavor can last for 99 years without diligent work by faithful, dedicated, and talented people. We thank our staff for their hard work.  Leaders at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center will accompany those affected by the change through this difficult time. 

This is tough news to share and receive. At the same time, the archdiocesan communications office looks forward to a new focus on assisting parishes/clusters communicate with their parishioners through emerging digital technology.