The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) has elected Ignatius Gonsalves of Kochi as its new president. He is the second layman to head the 56-year-old association. The election took place at the association’s annual general body meeting and national convention held at Jharsuguda, Odisha, on March 1-3.
The other elected members are: Divine Word Father Sunil Damor of Jharsuguda as the vice president, Capuchin Father Suresh Mathew, the editor of the New Delhi-based Indian Currents the secretary, Holy Spirit Sister Tessy Jacob the joint-secretary, St Paul’s Father Joby Mathew, former editor of Mumbai-based The Teenager Today magazine, the treasurer. The first layperson to head the association was Michael Gonsalves of Pune during 2004–2007. Ignatius Gonsalves was the vice president until now.
Founded in 1963, ICPA is an association of Catholic newspapers, periodicals, news agencies, publishing houses, journalists and teachers of journalism. It is one of the oldest Catholic press organizations in Asia and has the patronage of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. It has more than 160 members from all over India, consisting of lay persons, priests, brothers and nuns. The ICPA chose Jharsuguda as its venue for annual meet and convention to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Kandhamal massacre. Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack- Bhubaneswar, under whose territory Kandhamal falls, thanked the members for their support through their writings on Kandhamal. The association pledged to become more effective by roping in more press personal and training the youngsters in print journalism.
Source: www.mattersindia.com
