The Irish bishops are to provide a loan to Ireland’s leading religious publisher, Veritas, which announced on Friday it was closing with the loss of up to 80 jobs.
The publisher, which operates seven retail shops across the island of Ireland selling religious publications and religious goods, said the decision to commence an “orderly wind down” followed a strategic review.
In a statement, Chris Queenan, chair of the board of Veritas, which is owned by the Irish Catholic bishops, explained that Veritas has seen “a significant and sustained downturn” in its business in recent years and that a restructuring process would not “mitigate the challenges that exist or sufficiently improve the commercial prospects of the business”.
He blamed the “ever-changing market, societal dynamics, and evolving shopper habits” which he said had impacted both the competitiveness and commercial viability of the business.
The bishops said the closure represented “a great loss to the Church in Ireland”.
“We understand that Veritas has made this very difficult decision following a number of years of challenging trading conditions, but today’s announcement brings especially sad news for Veritas employees as well as the many customers and friends of Veritas throughout the country and beyond.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who are directly impacted by today's announcement.”
A spokesperson for Veritas said a consultation process is underway with the 80 employees.
The Tablet understands that while this consultation process will cover redundancy, it is aimed at helping employees find alternative employment.
“We anticipate completing the orderly wind down of the business, including the closure of the remaining seven retail locations, plus the warehouse facility, by the end of 2024, but will operate on a business-as-usual basis in the meantime,” Veritas said in its statement.
The publisher will have to find an alternative outlet for the continued publication of key titles such as its Grow in Love series, which is “a critical part of the syllabus” for many primary schools across Ireland. Chris Queenan said he was confident that a solution would be found.
In their statement, the bishops said Veritas Communications CLG had served the publishing and catechetical needs of the Irish Episcopal Conference very well for many years.
As an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Veritas has provided design and print services to other agencies of the Bishops’ Conference, as well as dioceses and parishes across Ireland for pastoral letters, pamphlets, booklets, brochures, fliers, leaflets, annual reports, catalogues, prayer cards, bookmarks and business stationery.
It produces the monthly liturgical magazine Intercom.
Veritas describes itself as “dedicated to promoting the Catholic faith through our publications and stores”.
The publishing arm produces more than twenty books annually, covering theology, scripture, prayer, spirituality, parenting, counselling, children's issues, social commentary, and liturgical resources. It also publishes religious education texts for primary and post-primary schools.
Beehive Books, an imprint, features a selection of non-fiction and children's titles.
In addition to its strong publishing profile, Veritas is Ireland’s foremost religious retailer, stocking a range of titles from Christian publishers worldwide, giftware and greeting cards for Catholic occasions, christenings, wedding, first Holy Communion and confirmation.
Veritas had its origins in the Catholic Truth Society of Ireland, which was founded in 1899 to publish religious books, pamphlets and materials for the market in Ireland.
Prior to that, all such materials came from England.
In 1928, the Veritas company was formed to take over the commercial aspect of the Catholic Truth Society.