Church periodical seeks lay help

A new fortnightly for Christian leadership


The first multi-color Church periodical launched by a group of media professionals last month gets encouraging response, but needs lay collaboration, its editors said. Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of Pontifical Commission for Social Communications, released the pilot issue of the Feb.12 in New Delhi.-Source: Press release.

The magazine tentatively titled "Companion" is meant for faith education for Christians, aimed at laity, religious and clergy, in that order. The magazine edited by Blessed Sacrament Father Jacob Naluparayil, who runs two very popular publications in Malayalam, launched this fortnightly with support from Jesuit Father Jacob Srampickal, who heads the communications department at the Gregorian University, Rome. The executive editor is Maria Bambina Sister Leela Perumpally and has a number of persons from all over India in the editorial and advisory boards, including several bishops. Among the list of patrons are the major cardinals and heads of the three rites. The fortnightly hopes to give a correct understanding of the Christian faith without being rightist or leftist, with the hope that a correct understanding can help deepen the faith of our people

It is a combined effort by media trained people and theologians, with sociologists , economists and other experts . The magazine has 3 major stories: international, national and a faith based one. Between these stories theologians and other experts offer comments helping the reader to reflect and apply the significance of what is treated, on our life of faith. (Normally when theologians write very few people read as these are top heavy.- they write in theological journals mostly). The second part of the magazine is all COLUMNS: all helping the reader to understand Christian faith better so that one can live it better. Readability or reader friendliness is the main characteristic as all the articles are done in journalese, and not like boring essays and papers. One cannot compare it with existing news magazines of the Christians either as this is not a news magazine (though there are two pages of select news).

Gradually the editors expect the enlightened readers to take over the writing, but they will help them hone their writing skills. All readers are welcome to contribute to any section. But kindly do not write to publish anything without prior discussion with the editor(except letters to editor). The editor may be contacted at naluparayil2007@gmail.com. The first copy can be had via email, if anyone needs it. May contact comunicazioni@unigre.it

The magazine won’t appear on the net, except its content page, at least for sometime.

One person wrote “first time, an India Christian journal that respects its reader in India". Indeed a good comment. If enterprising and creative younger generation wants to do something new and meaningful, we need to encourage it. Hence all those interested in the Christian faith may try to get a copy. The first issue has certain weaknesses as it was rushed tor a particular release date


Archbishop Celli releasing and offering the first copy to Cardinal Oswald Gracias







NOTE: We will have a new name instead of COMPANION next week, as the registrar of news papers has not approved companion. Stay tuned, stay connected.


-Information from

P. Jacob Srampickal SJ
Director, Communications Studies
Pontifical Gregorian University
Piazza della Pilotta,4
Rome 00187, ITALY
www.unigre.it\cics (Please take a look at this site)