Florida Catholic
Encyclopedia
The Florida Catholic newspaper is the official news organization for six of the seven dioceses in the Ecclesiastical Province of Miami. Based in Orlando, FL, the newspaper publishes, 26 times a year, editions that include local, state, national and international Catholic news. Circulation in the six dioceses totals 138,080.
Other articles discuss faith issues and highlight specific schools, ministries or parish activities. The Bishop of each Florida Diocese offers a personal message to subscribers in their diocese on current events or faith subjects. An online version of the newspaper offers the most recent edition as well as an archive of past articles and bishop's messages.
In 1959 the paper moved to the Orlando
suburb of Winter Park
.
In 1972, the paper changed its format from broadsheet to tabloid.
In 1984, the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
began publishing their own version of the newspaper.
In 1990, the paper absorbed The Voice published by the Archdiocese of Miami and began serving that area. The addition of Miami gives the paper a circulation of 140,000 and serving six out of the seven dioceses in the state.
In 1993, specific local sections were generated for each diocese.
In 2003, it was discovered that a bookkeeper had embezzled money totaling a large sum over decades. The bookkeeper was charged with grand theft and the editor felt obliged to resign. This resulted in an abbreviated publishing schedule for several years until losses could be recouped.
In 2004, the Catholic Press Association selected the paper to receive the Bishop John England Award for First Amendment rights, freedom of the press and/or freedom of religion.
In 2008, the paper is published for the final time in the St. Petersburg Diocese. It begins production of a new publication for that diocese, Gathered, Nourished, Sent. The same year it begins publishing bi-weekly.
Other articles discuss faith issues and highlight specific schools, ministries or parish activities. The Bishop of each Florida Diocese offers a personal message to subscribers in their diocese on current events or faith subjects. An online version of the newspaper offers the most recent edition as well as an archive of past articles and bishop's messages.
History
The paper was first published as a weekly in Miami in 1939. It moved to St. Augustine in 1942. It moved to Orlando about 1952. In 1958 it is replaced by the The Voice only in the Miami diocese for the next 32 years.In 1959 the paper moved to the Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
suburb of Winter Park
Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park is a suburban city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 24,090 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 28,083. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
In 1972, the paper changed its format from broadsheet to tabloid.
In 1984, the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee is a Roman Catholic diocese in Florida; it was founded on October 1, 1975. The Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee is the pastor of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart located in Pensacola, Florida...
began publishing their own version of the newspaper.
In 1990, the paper absorbed The Voice published by the Archdiocese of Miami and began serving that area. The addition of Miami gives the paper a circulation of 140,000 and serving six out of the seven dioceses in the state.
In 1993, specific local sections were generated for each diocese.
In 2003, it was discovered that a bookkeeper had embezzled money totaling a large sum over decades. The bookkeeper was charged with grand theft and the editor felt obliged to resign. This resulted in an abbreviated publishing schedule for several years until losses could be recouped.
In 2004, the Catholic Press Association selected the paper to receive the Bishop John England Award for First Amendment rights, freedom of the press and/or freedom of religion.
In 2008, the paper is published for the final time in the St. Petersburg Diocese. It begins production of a new publication for that diocese, Gathered, Nourished, Sent. The same year it begins publishing bi-weekly.
Editors
- Father Vincent Smith ?-1965
- Father David Page 1965-1990
- Henry Libersat 1990-1999
- Steven Paradis 1999-2003
- Denise O'Toole Kelly 2003-
External links
- Florida Catholic Official Website
- Florida Catholic historical issues freely available through the Florida Digital Newspaper LibraryFlorida Digital Newspaper LibraryThe Florida Digital Newspaper Library provides access to the news and history of Florida through local Florida newspapers. The Florida Digital Newspaper Library is supported by the University of Florida's George A...