
The National Catholic Register is a Catholic newspaper in the United States, providing news and features from the US, the Vatican, and worldwide. It was founded in 1927 by Monsignor Matthew J. Smith as the national edition of the Denver Catholic Register. The Register is currently owned by the Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. of Irondale, Alabama, which also owns the Catholic News Agency. The newspaper includes content on culture, education, books, arts, entertainment, and interviews. The print edition is published biweekly, and the website provides blogs and breaking news.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Newspaper |
| Format | Print and online |
| Frequency | Biweekly (26 times a year) |
| Owner | Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. (EWTN) |
| Parent company | EWTN News, Inc. |
| Founder | Matthew J. Smith |
| Year founded | 1927 |
| Headquarters | Irondale, Alabama |
| Circulation | 112,000 (at the time of its sale in 1970) |
| Content | News, features, interviews, blogs |
| Topics | Culture, education, books, arts, entertainment, Catholic travel |
| Target audience | Catholics |
| Mission | To provide a perspective on the news as seen through the eyes of the Magisterium |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The National Catholic Register is a Catholic newspaper in the United States
- It was founded in 1927 by Monsignor Matthew J. Smith
- The Register's editorial focus shifted from progressive to conservative in 1970
- The newspaper covers news from the United States, the Vatican, and worldwide
- It includes feature articles on culture, education, books, arts, and entertainment

The National Catholic Register is a Catholic newspaper in the United States
The Register has certainly been loyal to the Church throughout its history. In the 2000s, during the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, the paper downplayed allegations of sexual abuse by Legionary founder Marcial Maciel, and defended him against the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2009, new revelations about Maciel came to light, causing benefactors to cut ties with the paper. The publisher, Father Owen Kearns, issued an apology for the paper's coverage in 2010.
The National Catholic Register is currently owned by the Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. of Irondale, Alabama, which also owns the Catholic News Agency. The Register is published biweekly, 26 times a year, and covers news and features from the United States, the Vatican, and worldwide. Its content includes culture, education, books, arts, entertainment, and interviews. The print edition is published biweekly, and the website also includes various blogs and breaking news.
The National Catholic Register is a service of EWTN News, Inc., which is the world's largest Catholic news organization. EWTN News is comprised of television, radio, print, and digital media outlets, and is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. The Register is read by tens of thousands of active lay Catholics, as well as priests, bishops, archbishops, and Vatican officials.
Scripture's Prediction of Catholic Church Sex Scandal
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It was founded in 1927 by Monsignor Matthew J. Smith
The National Catholic Register is a Catholic newspaper in the United States that was founded on 8 November 1927 by Monsignor Matthew J. Smith of the Archdiocese of Denver. It was founded as the national edition of the Denver Catholic Register, the official weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Denver. Monsignor Smith was the first editor of the newspaper and in its inaugural issue, he wrote:
> "If you like a Catholic paper with snap, vigor, courage, here it is. If you like one that is easy to read, here it is. If you like one that will always be loyal to the Church and has no selfish axe to grind, here it is."
The newspaper's content includes news and features from the United States, the Vatican, and worldwide, covering topics such as culture, education, books, arts, entertainment, and interviews. The print edition of the National Catholic Register is published biweekly (26 times a year) and includes various blogs and breaking news on its online platform.
In June 1929, the Diocese of Monterey–Fresno requested to bundle local news with the National Catholic Register, and other dioceses followed suit. This arrangement turned into a chain known as the Register System of Newspapers, with dioceses across the United States wrapping their own diocesan newspapers around the national edition. In 1931, Monsignor Smith founded the Register School of Journalism at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver. The chain's circulation peaked in the 1950s, reaching 850,000 households with the national edition and at least 34 diocesan editions.
After Monsignor Smith's death in 1960, the chain entered a period of decline. By 1970, it had been dismantled, and each diocesan edition was transferred back to local diocesan management. That same year, Patrick Frawley's Twin Circle Publishing Co. purchased the financially struggling National Catholic Register, shifting its editorial focus from progressive to conservative. The newspaper faced another challenge during the church sex abuse scandals of the 2000s, where it downplayed allegations against Legionary founder Marcial Maciel. This led to benefactors cutting ties with the paper, and in 2010, the publisher, Father Owen Kearns, issued an apology for its coverage.
Today, the National Catholic Register continues to provide its readers with timely news reporting and remains America's most complete and faithful Catholic news source. It is currently owned by the Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. of Irondale, Alabama, which also owns the Catholic News Agency.
Exploring Eastern Catholic and Greek Orthodox Similarities
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$16.69 $17.95

The Register's editorial focus shifted from progressive to conservative in 1970
The National Catholic Register is a Catholic newspaper in the United States that was founded on November 8, 1927, by Monsignor Matthew J. Smith as the national edition of the Denver Catholic Register. It is currently the oldest national Catholic newspaper in the country. The publication includes news and features from the United States, the Vatican, and worldwide, covering topics such as culture, education, books, arts, entertainment, and interviews.
This shift in editorial focus occurred during a period of transition for the Register. By 1970, the chain of diocesan editions that had been established under Msgr. Smith's leadership had been dismantled, with each edition returning to local diocesan management. The paper was facing financial difficulties, which led to its sale to Frawley's company. This change in ownership not only brought a change in editorial focus but also marked a new chapter in the business and management of the publication.
The shift from progressive to conservative editorial focus aligned the National Catholic Register with a more traditional and right-leaning perspective. This change in ideological orientation likely influenced the paper's content, tone, and stance on various religious, social, and political issues. It is important to note that this shift occurred during a time when the Catholic Church and society at large were undergoing significant cultural and ideological changes, with the 1960s and 1970s being decades of social and political transformation.
The change in editorial focus had a significant impact on the National Catholic Register's trajectory and reputation. It is important to consider the context of the time, the broader media landscape, and the interests of the new owners to fully understand the implications of this shift.
The Path to Becoming the Catholic Pope
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The newspaper covers news from the United States, the Vatican, and worldwide
The National Catholic Register is a Catholic newspaper based in the United States. It was founded on November 8, 1927, by Monsignor Matthew J. Smith as the national edition of the Denver Catholic Register. The newspaper is currently owned by the Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. (EWTN), a non-profit organisation based in Irondale, Alabama. EWTN is the world's largest Catholic news organisation, with television, radio, print, and digital media outlets dedicated to reporting the truth through the lens of the Gospel and the Catholic Church.
The National Catholic Register covers news from the United States, the Vatican, and worldwide. Its content includes a range of topics such as culture, Catholic education, books, arts, entertainment, and interviews. The newspaper provides its readers with timely reporting, insightful commentary, and feature articles that offer a perspective aligned with the Magisterium.
The print edition of the National Catholic Register is published biweekly, with 26 issues released each year. The newspaper has a wide reach, with subscribers including active lay Catholics, priests, bishops, archbishops, and Vatican officials.
The website, NCRegister.com, complements the print edition by providing online content such as blogs and breaking news. The website also offers subscription services, allowing readers to receive daily or weekly updates directly to their inboxes.
The National Catholic Register has gone through several changes in ownership and editorial focus throughout its history. In 1970, the paper was purchased by Patrick Frawley's Twin Circle Publishing Co., shifting its editorial stance from progressive to conservative. Despite challenges and controversies faced over the years, the newspaper has endured and remains a prominent source of Catholic news and perspectives today.
Catholics and Jehovah's Witnesses: Welcoming Strangers at the Door?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It includes feature articles on culture, education, books, arts, and entertainment
The National Catholic Register, founded in 1927 by Monsignor Matthew J. Smith, is a Catholic newspaper in the United States. It is currently owned by the Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. of Irondale, Alabama, which also owns other Catholic media outlets.
The National Catholic Register includes feature articles on culture, education, books, arts, and entertainment. For instance, the newspaper covers topics such as the Culture of Life and Catholic education. It also has a dedicated section for books, arts & entertainment, and Catholic travel. The publication further enriches its content with interviews, including its award-winning 'In Person' interview series.
The print edition of the National Catholic Register is published biweekly (26 times a year). The newspaper has a strong online presence as well, with various blogs and breaking news updates.
The National Catholic Register has a long history of providing news and perspectives that align with Catholic teachings. Over the years, it has experienced changes in editorial focus and ownership, but it remains a prominent source of Catholic news and commentary.
The publication's mission is to offer a perspective on current events through the lens of the Magisterium, empowering Catholics to engage confidently with the world while upholding their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Reconciling Faith: Atheist and Catholic Love
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The National Catholic Register is a Catholic newspaper in the United States. It is the oldest national Catholic newspaper in the country, founded in 1927 by Msgr. Matthew J. Smith.
The Register publishes news and features from the United States, the Vatican, and worldwide. It covers topics like culture, education, books, arts, and entertainment, as well as interviews. The print edition is published biweekly, while online content includes various blogs and breaking news.
The National Catholic Register is owned by EWTN News, Inc., also known as the Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. It is the world's largest Catholic news organization, with television, radio, print, and digital media outlets.
The National Catholic Register was founded on November 8, 1927, as the national edition of the Denver Catholic Register. In 1970, the paper was purchased by Patrick Frawley's Twin Circle Publishing Co., shifting its editorial focus from progressive to conservative. The paper faced controversy in the 2000s for its coverage of the church sex abuse scandals, but it has since apologized and continues to publish today.
The Register's mission is to provide a perspective on the news of the day from the viewpoint of the Magisterium. It aims to assist Catholics in engaging with the culture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.













![Words of Comfort for Every Day: I Love You Lord: Minute Meditations Featuring Selected, Scripture Texts and Short Prayers to the Lord [Imitation Leather] Sullivan, Joseph T](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Ri6YeTFQL._AC_UY218_.jpg)




























