From the Editor's Desk

Getting to know our readers

Two weeks ago, Tom Roberts, the editor whose writing you’ve been reading in this corner for many years, provided you with a much too generous description of my efforts at NCR. Though I kindly accept the honor, I am now required to live up to those expectations. What he failed to tell you is that he’s an exceptional, in-the-trenches journalist with 40 years’ reporting experience. I, on the other hand, am a desk side journalist, who only on rare occasions ventures into the trenches; a reality of being part of the corporate structure for many years. Such is the life of a publisher. Kudos to Tom Roberts as he begins a sabbatical from his ordinary duties and responsibilities.

In the meantime, those of us at NCR have been engaged in conversations about you, our readers, and how we can provide information that helps all of us be better participants in our churches, our communities and the global family. To do that, we need to be clear on who you are. We’ve been developing a list we think describes NCR readers. Are we correct?

You’ll hear more about this over the next few months, but here’s the list thus far. We believe that NCR services:

• Those who have a part of their identity grounded in the Catholic tradition;
• Those who feel the Catholic tradition has much to offer in discussions of the issues facing the global community;
• Those who are committed to Gospel values and their social imperatives;
• Those who are progressive and broad thinkers about social policies;
• Those who have a passion for justice and the fullness of the beatitudes;
• Those who are global in orientation and affirm diversity in cultures and religions;
• Those who affirm the interrelationship of religion, social sciences, the physical universe and human experience;
• Those who care about the church institution and want to see it change;
• Those who are oriented toward pastoral theology;
• Those who embrace hope as a way of life and believe in the ability to be agents of change for a better world.

After 43 years of publishing NCR, you’d think we’d know. Yet, nothing stands still. When NCR’s founders spoke of the need to select that which is significant, relevant and meaningful to its readers, they could not have imagined the ethical challenges we face today, the instantaneous exchange of information as a result of advances in communication technology, or the impact of globalization on future generations.

At NCR we are looking toward the future and what it means to be Catholic in the 21st century. Where are the spiritual and theological conversations and what are they saying? Likewise for social, economic, scientific, political and moral complexities. NCR will always be committed to reporting the news and holding institutions of power accountable, but in addition we want to help make sense of the news, to get out in front of what often seems like a cacophony of voices. Help us plan for the future and share with me who you are.

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What should we add or change on the list? Please send your suggestions directly to me at ritalarivee@ncronline.org.

-- Sr. Rita Larivee, SSA

National Catholic Reporter, June 8, 2007