The New Leader and The Lasting Value of Magazines in a Digital World

For over 138 years, The New Leader has been a beacon of Christian journalism, offering insightful commentary, thought-provoking articles, and spiritual guidance to its readers. Catholic Connect speaks to Fr. Antony Pancras, Editor about the publication’s rich legacy, its role in shaping faith, and its vision for the future.

The namesake of your publication, “The New Leader” is captivating. What idea or type of person does it refer to?

This is the story of a watchman becoming a leader, The New Leader. The diocesan paper was launched in 1887 as The Catholic Watchman by Most Rev. Joseph Colgan, the first Archbishop of the See of Madras (1882-1911). In the course of time it came to be called Catholic Leader. In 1937, after fifty years of fruitful watching and leading, it acquired a new name and a new shape. Archbishop Louis Mathias of Madras took the ‘Catholic’ away and made it ‘The New Leader.’ The magazine offers the leadership which Christ gave to the world. It is the leadership of service.  

The New Leader website mentions that it seeks not only to ‘inform’ its readers but also ‘form and transform’ them in their faith. Please tell us more about it. 

The purpose of The New Leader is not only to inform the readers but also to form the faithful in Christian values and the principles of better human living. The gospel values of justice, truth, charity, compassion, forgiveness etc., are conveyed through the articles and the editorials of the magazine. The events of the world are perceived and interpreted through the prism of Christian faith and living. The New Leader has been consistently communicating its stand for gender equality, ecological concern, democratic-secular values, inter-religious dialogue, Laity-participation in the Church etc. 

What kind of stories do you think your readers look forward to read in the issues of the New Leader?

The readers expect information about the happenings in the Church for example, the second session of the Synod, Jubilee year, Eucharistic congress etc. Readers look forward to articles on various topics like politics during election, social issues, any disaster, education, family life, religious harmony, spirituality, ecology and gender-parity etc. When there are some conflicts and confusions, like the Blessing for the same-sex couples, our readers expect to get some clarification from experts and authorities. 

The New Leader has been around 138 years now. Let us know how it has been able to adapt with time. 

The magazine owes much to the visionary editor Fr. Joe Antony, SJ, for his innovation, hard-work and long vision which have made the New Leader what it is now. Archbishops of the Madras-Mylapore archdiocese have provided their continuous support to the magazine. The New Leader is present now on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms as well as in the form of an E-magazine. We have also started publication of books under the banner, “New Leader Books” and “New Leader Publications.”

Do you think the written word will still hold relevance and interest in future where visual media becomes the norm?

I think at least for India and other Asian countries, printed news papers and magazines will keep functioning for some more years. Even though modern phones offer everything on screen, reading a magazine or book or newspaper can give us more benefits. The modern generations are slowly understanding the ill-effects of the over-use of cell-phones. We must encourage real reading and hand writing practice. 

The New Leader will receive the coveted Louis Careno Award 2024, during the award giving ceremony to be held in Mangalore on 1-2 October 2024, for excellence in Christian Journalism, given by the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA).

By Catholic Connect Reporter