Catholic Exponent to End Publication, Be Replaced by Magazine

YOUNGSTOWN – The Catholic Exponent newspaper will print its final issue in February, the Diocese of Youngstown announced Friday, and will be replaced by a new print magazine, The Catholic Echo.

The Exponent has served the diocese for 77 years.

The magazine, to be published 10 times a year, will be complemented by a website and multimedia content that will highlight Catholic life across the six counties of the diocese. The circulation model will enable all registered parishioners to receive the publication at no cost.

“Like diocesan publications throughout the country, and indeed, like all newspapers, The Catholic Exponent has been affected by changes in how media is consumed,” writes the Most Rev. David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown in the Nov. 11 issue of The Catholic Exponent.

“Our current circulation sits at under 19,000 households, which is about one-third of the number of households in our diocese. More widely, the [diocese] has been engaged in a process of balancing the need to be more digital, while also supporting legacy platforms of print, broadcast television and radio in a way that is sustainable. We need to continue to reach those who depend on our current communication services, but we need to extend our reach beyond a chosen few.”

The launch of the magazine follows the establishment of the diocese’s new department of communications in July.

The Catholic Echo website will post stories from the magazine, video programs, televised Masses, radio and podcasts, including the Youngstown diocese-produced program “Wineskins.”

Parishioners also can opt-in for an email newsletter and posts will be available on social media.
The Catholic Telecommunications Network of Youngstown (CTNY) programming will remain available on its Armstrong cable channel and on an anticipated return to Spectrum in the Youngstown-Warren area.

Mail circulation of the magazine will be paid for in part with advertising, a seed grant and an assessment to the parishes, the diocese said.

Those not affiliated with a parish can subscribe and those nonregistered parishioners who currently subscribe to The Catholic Exponent will have their subscriptions fulfilled by receiving The Catholic Echo until their subscription expires.

“The Catholic Echo magazine will be a tool of information – making our Catholic community aware of major initiatives and activities – but its renewed focus will be on formation and evangelization,” Bonnar said.

“Simply put, it is not enough for Catholics to know about activities if they are not inspired and given a solid foundation about Catholic life and their place in it.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.