Dear readers,
Because of the death of Pope John Paul II, the Hawaii Catholic Herald is dropping all its regular stories, columns and features for this issue to publish an edition exclusively on the pope’s life and death.
The only exception is a four-page section toward the end of the newspaper on Hawaii’s religious jubilarians — the 21 sisters, brothers and priests celebrating 25th, 50th, 60th and 70th anniversaries of vows and ordinations. Most of the jubilarians listed will come together for a diocesan tribute and thanksgiving April 15 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
The stories and features that should have run in this issue will be included in the next scheduled Hawaii Catholic Herald, April 22. Among those news items will be the obituaries of four retired priests who had served in Hawaii at one time or another. They are Father Lawrence Simons, Father Robert da Ponte, Maryknoll Father James Jackson and Maryknoll Father Francis Diffley.
Also missing from this issue are the Parish and School News, the regular columns and local news not related to the pope’s passing. In their place you will find a rich collection of stories prepared by the excellent reporters and photographers of Catholic News Service who have covered the Vatican and Pope John Paul II for many years.
Much of the Catholic News Service material, written specifically for a Catholic readership, is unavailable from any other source.
In addition, the Hawaii Catholic Herald, normally a bi-weekly publication, is planning an extra edition, dated April 15, to report on the pope’s funeral and the cardinals’ conclave to elect a new pope. We are also considering an extra issue for April 29 to bring you detailed coverage of the new pope.
We hope you will excuse the temporary absence of the regular Hawaii Catholic Herald features. However, we believe the extraordinary nature of the events surrounding the end of the historic papacy of John Paul II and the election of the new pope call for this special focus. Our small staff and limited printing capability does not allow us to do both. We thank you for your understanding.
Patrick Downes, editor