April 8, 2016

Letters to the Editor

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Former Criterion editor’s quiet leadership gave newspaper strength and consistency

I am sorry that The Criterion did not see fit to remember more thoroughly the death of Beatrice Ackelmire of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis recently.

Bea served as associate editor of The Criterion in the early 1970s, as well as having a formidable newspaper career at both The Indianapolis News and The Indianapolis Star.

She was my boss when I was assigned to The Criterion in 1972, and she was for me a no-nonsense yet dignified and talented journalist of the kind that no longer exists in the publishing world.

In her own quiet leadership, Bea gave the newspaper its strength and consistency following the retirement of Msgr. Ray Bosler.

Along with Fred Fries, the newspaper’s managing editor, Bea sought to encourage a lively spirit to the religious press during a period of change in the Church.

I am sorry our paths crossed very infrequently after she herself left The Criterion.

- Fr. Thomas C. Widner, S.J. | Brebeuf Jesuit Community, Indianapolis

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