News in Brief

Tablet editor honoured with papal knighthood
THE EDITOR a the Catholic weekly journal The Tablet has been awarded a papal knighthood in recognition of his "loyalty in difficult times", writes Christina Farrell.
John Wilkins, who retires at the end of the year after more than 21 years as editor, received the honour from the papal nuncio Archbishop Pablo Puente at a ceremony in London last week.
Also present were the Aivhbishop of Wesnninster, Cardinal Comae Murphy-O'Connor, staff and directors of The Tablet and the new editor-elect Catherine Pepinster who succeeds Mr Wilkins next month. The nuncio said The Tablet under Mr Wilkins's editorship was a "living laboratory of the marvellous reality that is the prophetic mission of the laity in the Church". Cardinal MurphyO'Connor praised its "critical loyalty".
The Tablet has not refrained from criticising the Church, notably over the papal encyclical Hionanae Woe that forbade the use of contraception. Mr Wilkins said it had been engaged "in the search for true orthodoxy".
"That is why it is so encouraging to have this recognition from the Holy See," he said.