The British Jesuits' new online journal has clocked up over 13,000 pageviews in its first week. More than 3,000 unique visitors came to the site, and over 10% of them have already become subscribers.
Thinking Faith was launched on 18 January 2008 by Bishop John Arnold of Westminster at Farm Street Church parish hall in central London.
It is the latest project from Jesuit Media Initiatives, the office behind 'pray-as-you-go', the downloadable daily reflection for commuters which has become a worldwide phenomenon, with more than 4.5 million sessions downloaded since March 2006.
Thinking Faith has a 'rolling format', which means that it is not restricted by publication dates. It has already responded to reports that Catholic parents are getting their children baptised later and its alleged link with schools admissions - as well as addressing climate change and Christian unity to mark the feasts of St Thomas Aquinas and the Conversion of St Paul respectively.
Subscription is free and subscribers are notified automatically as soon as a new article is uploaded onto the web site. Articles cover a wide range of topics, from technology to theology, political studies to poetry, and development to culture.
Father Peter Scally SJ, the Director of Jesuit Media Initiatives, said he hoped Thinking Faith would contribute to debates and issues from a British and European perspective and that the 'rolling format' would enable a faster response to news, events and matters of concern.
"The Jesuits have, since their founding in 1540, had a reputation for intellectual rigour and engagement in debates about contemporary issues," says Fr Scally.
"Thinking Faith will maintain and develop that tradition, using the new and exciting opportunities that modern technology - especially the internet - offers."
