Jeff Gunnarson, Special to The Interim:
Editor’s Note: These remarks were given by Campaign Life Coalition national president and Interim editorial advisory board member Jeff Gunnarson at an August 13 celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Paul Tuns as editor of The Interim (August 8, 2001).
What can one say about a faithful Catholic man, pro-life and otherwise mostly traditional, who loves professional wrestling and other similar blood sports, both fake and real, and brings his family on vacations to watch such events?
Who plays board games ad nauseum on Saturday mornings with his wife, and enjoys engaging in data analysis in his spare time?
I think one can say this man should never become the editor of a pro-life newspaper.
God works in mysterious ways.
As I recall, Paul had no plans to work in the pro-life movement, never mind to run its national newspaper. He was destined to become a teacher like his parents, but the idea of entering journalism entered in at some point.
A little-known fact is that Paul volunteered — yes you heard that right — volunteered to serve on The Interim’s editorial advisory board thinking it would look good on his resume. What was he thinking?
Paul is quoted as saying “sometimes God is not so subtle in His plans,” and Paul was divinely prodded into pro-life journalism. And at the age of 28 became its fifth editor.
He has taken the newspaper seriously. His desire is to make every edition better than the last.
Paul is unique, particular, and stubborn and very set in his ways — and he would admit he is slightly opinionated!
I’m not going to argue with the editor on that one!
Paul’s vision for the paper was to professionalize it, to make it more credible.
It is difficult to manage a monthly newspaper that features news that may be weeks old. To keep it relevant and compelling, Paul broadened the scope of the paper. He added new regular columns that were not specifically pro-life but had topics which pro-lifers were interested in or might be helpful to round out one’s view on the state of our culture. From book reviews to sports, Paul would include diverse yet virtuous articles in the paper.
He does an outstanding job of linking politics and culture in a way few news outlets do.
And I also want to recognize Christina, his wife, and Paul’s family. Christina and the kids have endured the many late nights of putting The Interim to bed.
Finally, The Interim has an old motto that Paul has written about many times: Semper Fidelis. Always faithful.
Faithful to the truth. Faithful to the unborn. Faithful to the family. Faithful to the cause. And ultimately, faithful to God.
After 25 years, I think those words describe Paul pretty well, too.
So, Paul, on behalf of all of us, thank you. Thanks for creating and preserving the essence of the pro-life movement.
Congratulations on 25 years!
God bless you, Christina, and your family.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.