Dom José e o Correio da Semana: a Bôa Imprensa em Sobral (1918-1925)

Abstract

This work is supposed to perform a sociological investigation and analysis of Dom José Tupinambá da Frota’s (1882-1959) social influence as the first Bishop of the Catholic Church in Sobral, a 200.000 people city of northeastern Brazil. The analysis is related to this influent religious leader in several fields, specially, journalism. He created the “Correio da Semana” (Weekly Post) in the year of 1918 which is still being edited until nowdays, after 97 years. It is probably the oldest newspaper in Brazil, considering its category and peculiar characteristics. “Correio da Semana” is a weekly publication that became to be a legitimate instrument of the fair journalism, let us say. The roll of this paper basically consisted on a straight support to the Roman Catholic cultural style headed by Dom José. Thus, this journal has aimed to work as a messenger of the Gospel diffusion, public information, propaganda, entertainment, as well as, Christian moral and good customs. Meanwhile, an opposition paper appeared. “A Lucta” (The Struggle), leaded by newspaper man Deolindo Barreto, ended it up raising an unavoidable public conflict in a certain time of Sobral history (1918-1925). It was considered by the catholic fellows as the “bad press”. “Correio da Semana” turned to be a stronger reaction tool to develop the Roman Catholic principles diffusion in all aspects, specially in ideological, political and religious directions, mainly from the second half of XIX century until the first half of XX century.