October 8, 2010

What was in the inaugural issue of The Criterion? Lots of news

This image, originally printed in the Nov. 11, 1962, edition of The Criterion, shows the five men who served as the bishops of Indiana in 1960. Standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica after one of the general sessions of the Second Vatican Council, they are, from left, Bishop Andrew Grutka of Gary, Bishop Leo A. Pursley of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Archbishop Paul C. Schulte of Indianapolis, Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman of Evansville and Bishop John J. Carberry of Lafayette. (Archive photo)

This image, originally printed in the Nov. 11, 1962, edition of The Criterion, shows the five men who served as the bishops of Indiana in 1960. Standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica after one of the general sessions of the Second Vatican Council, they are, from left, Bishop Andrew Grutka of Gary, Bishop Leo A. Pursley of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Archbishop Paul C. Schulte of Indianapolis, Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman of Evansville and Bishop John J. Carberry of Lafayette. (Archive photo)

By Brandon A. Evans

Fifty years ago, on the first Friday in October, the inaugural issue of The Criterion was published two weeks after the final issue of The Indiana Catholic.

The layout and regular features were virtually identical—as was the staff.

Here are some of the items that an average reader would find in early issues of The Criterion:

  • Local, national and world news
  • News briefs about “The Church and the World”
  • An opinion page
  • Advice and question-and-answer columns
  • A page “For Teens Only,” which included Catholic Youth Organization game scores
  • Local news bits in a section called the “Tic Tacker”
  • Obituaries
  • A comic strip titled “Lil’ David”
  • Advertisements for local businesses 

The first issue also contained a full page of photos showing The Criterion staff hard at work, an editorial musing on the choice of the newspaper’s name and various letters from Indiana leaders welcoming the new publication.

Throughout the next 12 months, we will continue this special feature, and examine what was going on in the Church and the world 50 years ago as seen through the pages of The Criterion.

Headlines from the first issue of The Criterion newspaper

(Here are some of the headlines that appeared in the first issue of The Criterion on Oct. 7, 1960.)

  • Archbishop erects new parish in Indianapolis (St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis).
  • Lay leaders speak out on the religious issue (regarding the devotion of Catholics to religious freedom).
  • Pope’s unity move called Magna Carta (Pope John XXIII starts Secretariat for Christian Unity).
  • The Catholic in America: Catholic patriotism won friends during Civil War.
  • Christ guards them, Pope tells youth.
  • Top court upholds father’s role as a religious guide.

Civic, religious leaders sent best wishes to The Criterion

The first issue of The Criterion contained several letters from Indiana leaders welcoming its publication.

Following are the people who sent their public accolades and best wishes:

  • Harold W. Handley, governor of the State of Indiana
  • Rev. Laurence Hosie, executive secretary of the Indianapolis Church Federation
  • Jesuit Father Thurston N. Davis, editor-in-chief of America magazine
  • Rt. Rev. John P. Craine, Episcopal Bishop of Indianapolis
  • Mother Rose Angela, Superior General of the Sisters of Providence of Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods
  • Charles H. Boswell, mayor of Indianapolis
  • Richard Peters, editor of The Indianapolis Times
  • Harold W. Trulock, president of the Indianapolis Press Club
  • Jameson G. Campaigne, editor of The Indianapolis Star
  • Rabbi Maurice Davis, Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
  • William H. Book, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce

Local site Links: