The Catholic Weekly

The Catholic Weekly is an English language newspaper currently published in Sydney, Australia. It is published in tabloid format. Throughout its history, it has also been published as The Freeman's Journal and Catholic Freeman's Journal.



History
The paper's history can be traced back to 27 June 1850 when it was named The Freeman's Journal, under the influence of editor and later-archdeacon John McEncroe (1794–1868). Printer and publisher Jeremiah Moore went onto running a successful bookstore. John Francis Blakeney (–1914) was one of its principal editors, commencing as an apprentice in 1867. The managing director until 1919 was Mr J. H. de Courcy, having started in the printing section of the paper about 1865. Initially based in George Street, Sydney, by May 1886 was moved to Lang Street, and in 1925, to the Hibernian Building, Elizabeth Street.

In 1932 its name changed to Catholic Freeman's Journal. In 1942, the Catholic Freeman's Journal merged with another Catholic paper, The Catholic Press, and became The Catholic Weekly which it remains today.

The Freeman's Journal was a general newspaper with a focus on Catholic and Irish affairs with an Australian outlook. The paper also campaigned for Catholic education in Australia. It often maintained an independent line, not controlled by the clergy.

Digitisation
The various versions of the paper have been digitised as part of the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program, a project hosted by the National Library of Australia.