- 18 July, 2025
Mumbai, July 18, 2025 – The Examiner, the official weekly of the Archdiocese of Bombay, has completed 175 years of continuous publication—an extraordinary milestone for India’s oldest Catholic magazine. A significant part of people’s lives in Bombay, the magazine continues to shape generations of Catholic readers. “What moves me the most is that people turn to the magazine to deepen their Catholic faith and stay connected with the Church. Some even say they read it cover to cover,” shared editor Fr. Joshan Rodrigues in an interview with Catholic Connect. “We have also not missed a single issue since 1850—through wars, communal violence, fire, or pandemics,” he added.
A Platform for Young Catholic Voices
The Examiner has intentionally opened its pages to young Catholic writers. “Many youth have contributed stories, short reflections and articles—and for some of them, The Examiner was the first place where they saw their name in print,” said Fr. Joshan.
Alongside its print edition, The Examiner has expanded to Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube—engaging a digital generation. Encouragingly, media habits seem to be shifting. “People are beginning to feel digital fatigue. Bookstores are increasing in number and youngsters are beginning to look beyond their cellphones,” he noted.
Reimagining The Examiner as a Family Magazine
Looking ahead to the next decade, Fr. Joshan envisions The Examiner as “a wholesome family magazine” that resonates with the entire Catholic household—parents, children, grandparents, teenagers, and working adults alike. “If the family is not doing well, the Church will not do well,” he emphasised, highlighting the deep connection between family health and Church vitality.
This direction, he explained, also echoes the Church’s teaching on synodality. “The idea of a family-focused magazine aligns with the synod’s call for communion, participation, and mission at every level of Church life.”
Staying Relevant Through the Years
Adaptability has been a hallmark of The Examiner’s long journey. “Each editor brings something new depending on what the people need—and that’s how we’ve remained relevant for all these years,” Fr. Joshan noted. Some editors have focused on theology, others on current affairs, while some have improved layout and visuals.
Around 15 years ago, The Examiner took a significant step forward by launching its digital edition, making the weekly more accessible to readers across India and around the world through their inboxes and screens. Its ability to evolve with the times has helped The Examiner remain a trusted source of Catholic insight, formation, and reflection across generations.
A Living Legacy in Catholic Media
Founded by British Jesuits in 1850, The Examiner first operated from Fort and later moved to the Archbishop’s House near the Bombay Gymkhana. With a strong emphasis on journalism, catechesis, and Catholic thought, it gained a steady readership among the Catholic community of Bombay and beyond.
Today, from a modest office in the Archbishop’s House, a dedicated team continues this legacy, ensuring that The Examiner remains not just a magazine, but a living testimony of faith, resilience, and Catholic journalism at its finest.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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