The Catholic Universe has appealed for sponsors in a final attempt to save one of England’s oldest Catholic publications after it declared insolvency and revealed its most recent edition would be the last in its 160-year history.
Chairman Clive Leach and managing director Joe Kelly appealed for help on Twitter, with messages reading: “The Universe is closing after 160 years unless you know a buyer investor or sponsor?” And “Help save the over 160 year old paper, the oldest Catholic weekly newspaper ever, before it is too late!”
The newspaper had announced that it would cease printing in an editorial in last week’s edition. In the joint message Mr Leach and Mr Kelly said that the closure of churches during the pandemic was a “devastating blow” because they were the main source of distribution for the publications.
Despite this they decided to continue publishing throughout the pandemic. The company supplied some papers free of charge until churches reopened, but saw a number of immediate cancellations, a reduction in parish payments and a fall in advertising revenue.
“It is such a pity that we have to take this action as we still feel that The Catholic Universe and Catholic Times could have a good future as the only substantial weekly newspaper available to the Catholic community in the UK,” they wrote.
Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols expressed his sadness at the loss.
“It is an historic moment which comes as a ‘sign of the times’. The Universe has served the Catholic community devotedly since 1860. But now no more,” he said. “I know that they have explored every avenue in trying to steer this operation through these most difficult times and circumstances. Again, on behalf of so many, I thank them for this valiant effort and commend them for their work.”
Former Universe editor Tom Murphy (88-90) told The Tablet that the paper’s closure was a loss to its loyal readership and to the Church. “Its founders, back in 1860, were trying to give a Catholic take on what was happening at a time when anti-Catholic propaganda was rife in England. That kind of take has become irrelevant, and I sadly suspect The Universe had become irrelevant.
“What’s important is what the Church does next: it needs to keep an open heart and an open mind, to support friendly media. The Church can be defensive towards the media, like a private members’ club – but Jesus Christ is the greatest communicator. I’m sure that if he’d been asked he’d have given a comment to The Universe.”
Greg Watts, a reporter on The Universe between 1989-1990, remembered a colourful, vibrant newsroom. “Many English working class Catholics grew up with a copy of The Universe lying around the living room. It was part of their Catholic life,” he said. “The Universe was a tabloid, and people seemed to like that. Some priests didn’t, however, and used to describe it as ‘the Catholic version of The Sun.’ Given that when I worked on it, Pope John Paul II or Mother Teresa were likely to be on page three, that’s probably stretching it. The end of the Universe really is the end of an era.”
Kevin Flaherty, the former editor of The Catholic Times who started his journalistic career as a reporter on The Universe, said he was “saddened at the demise of what was once a great and highly respected newspaper”.
“But in truth the writing had been on the wall for some time,” said Flaherty, who left the company two years ago and after three decades was the longest-serving member of staff in recent times. “Under the most recent regime too many cuts were made in a bid to make money. Far too many good Catholic journalists were made redundant. You can’t sacrifice quality for profit and still expect people to buy the product.”
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