HONG KONG (SE): Among the exhibits featured in the “Messengers of Hope” exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong at Saint Francis University, is the second issue of the Sunday Examiner, published in 1946, the year of its founding. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the newspaper established by Father Nicholas Maestrini, of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, a pioneering figure in the Church in Hong Kong, especially in the field of social communications.
On 10 March 1946, Father Maestrini launched the Sunday Examiner as an eight-page weekly tabloid and served as its first editor. Sold at 10 cents a copy, the newspaper became an important link between the faithful in Hong Kong and the universal Church in the aftermath of World War II. Through its reports on international Church events, it broadened the perspective of local Catholics and strengthened their sense of belonging to the global Church.
Ordained in 1931, Father Maestrini came to Hong Kong soon afterwards and spent two decades serving in pastoral ministry. He founded the Catholic Centre in Central, which became a vibrant hub for religious and cultural activities among both local and expatriate Catholics. Recognising the growing English-speaking Catholic community in Hong Kong and its need for reliable Church news, he established the Sunday Examiner, distinguishing it through professional photography and comprehensive coverage of important Church events both locally and internationally.
Father Maestrini led the newspaper until 1950 before leaving to establish new missions in Japan and later in the United States. He passed away in Italy in 2006 at the age of 98.
Following his departure, the Sunday Examiner continued to evolve in response to the changing needs of Hong Kong society and the Church. From 2003 to 2015, the newspaper carried a special section titled “Mabuhay,” dedicated to the spiritual and community life of the more than 100,000 Filipino Catholics living in Hong Kong.
[Father Maestrini] established the Sunday Examiner, distinguishing it through professional photography and comprehensive coverage of important Church events both locally and internationally
Over the decades, the newspaper was guided by a succession of dedicated missionary priests from various religious congregations. One of the most influential figures in its history was Jesuit Father Alan Birmingham who first assisted Monsignor Charles Herman Vath in editing the paper in 1957 before becoming editor in 1958. He remained in the role for 33 years until 1991, steering the publication through periods of major social transformation in Hong Kong, including waves of refugees and the years leading up to the handover. His long tenure gave the Catholic community a consistent and respected voice during a crucial period in the city’s history.
In more recent decades, leadership of the paper continued to pass through the hands of missionary clergy committed to Catholic journalism and social engagement. Jesuit Father Francis Doyle served as editor from 1991 to 1993, followed by Maryknoll Father John Casey who worked as deputy editor-in-chief from 1993 to 2003. Columban Father Jim Mulroney then led the newspaper for 15 years and became widely known for his advocacy on social justice and workers’ rights.
Since 2018, the Sunday Examiner has been led by Claretian Father Josekutty Mathew continuing the newspaper’s long tradition of mission-oriented journalism and service to the Church in Hong Kong.
