Final edition of WelCom published

Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM and Palmerston North Bishop John Adams announced that the publication would cease with the February/March edition, which was distributed through parishes last weekend.

Both dioceses are facing the financial challenges of living within their means, their statement noted.

“We are both facing deficit situations in our budgets, and as a result we have had to look at what we are spending and where we can make savings so that we can manage our resources,” they wrote.

“This is a painful process, and for both of us has meant reductions in our staffing and in other aspects of our spending.

“One of these relates to the production of WelCom. As you know, it has been produced 10 months of the year, and there are significant expenses associated with this.

“Ultimately, we have decided this is not sustainable financially in its current form, and so we have made the difficult decision to bring the publication to an end.”

Archbishop Martin and Bishop Adams mentioned the rich heritage of the magazine, and thanked Annette Scullion “for her fine work as the editor of WelCom for these last 10 years”.

“It is not an easy task to put together the last edition of a paper. Annette has edited this paper so well for all these years, and we are grateful for her work and the way she has brought this ministry to a conclusion.”

Gratitude was also expressed to the many contributors and advertisers over the years.

“We know that WelCom has been very much appreciated, and many people will be disappointed that it is not continuing.

“Our hope is that we will find new ways of communicating about the faith and our local diocesan news, and that Catholic people will continue to strive to be updated and grow in their knowledge and understanding of their faith.”

The statement mentioned CathNews New Zealand as a key outlet for Church communication.

“ . . . [W]e do hope that CathNews will be a place that New Zealand Catholics will find helpful for connecting and being supported in their faith experience and knowledge.”

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Final edition: Bishops announce closure of WelCom | Archdiocese of Wellington (Archdiocese of Wellington)