Letter from the publisher

Published: March 26, 2011

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor

Bishop John B. Morris is known for establishing many Catholic institutions in his 39 years as bishop of our diocese. He opened St. Joseph Orphanage in North Little Rock in 1909 and St. John Seminary in Little Rock in 1911. Another "institution" he started was The Southern Guardian, a weekly diocesan newspaper to serve the 22,000 Catholics spread across Arkansas in 1911.

Shortly before its 25th anniversary in 1936, Bishop Morris wrote, "The founding of The Guardian meant a great struggle and it has been carried on for many years almost without any help than my own. However, I do not regret befriending The Guardian. Its establishment was my own idea, and I believe it has fulfilled its mission ..."

The mission Bishop Morris established continues today: To be "an earnest champion in the cause of right, justice and truth, and an ardent defender of the religion which we all love so well ..."

The newspaper has been faithfully mailed into Catholic homes each week for the past 100 years. It owes success to a number of people. First, my predecessors and I have supported the Catholic press and made financial sacrifices to ensure its publication. Second, we have been served by many talented and dedicated priests and laity who have worked countless days, nights and weekends to write about events in the Church, lay out pages, sell advertising and update subscriptions.

Finally, Arkansas Catholic and its predecessors would not have been "prosperous" as Bishop Morris hoped if it were not for large numbers of readers and advertisers who also see the value of Catholic news and opinions.

May Arkansas Catholic continue its long and prosperous career.

Anthony B. Taylor

Bishop of Little Rock

March 2011

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