Psychic News ‘Dies’ As SNU Confirm Their Murderous Deed

The end of Psychic News was confirmed by the SNU at its A.G.M this weekend, as shocked and disgusted delegates looked on.

Founded in May, 1932 by Spiritualist legend Maurice Barbanell, Psychic News served the Spiritualist community steadfastly through good times and bad. It was a vehicle of truth and light, bringing forth each week reports of evidential mediumship. It was a beacon for the Movement - its voice.

This is why the ‘criminal’ decision by the SNU to terminate its existence will be so hard to take for so many. Reports suggest the SNU pulled the plug due to the paper’s financial difficulties. However, inside sources report that funds from benefactors was offered - but turned down.

The SNU has previous history of struggling with the ownership of Psychic News. In 1946, Barbanell resigned his editorship when news reached him that the paper’s financial backer, Arthur Findlay, intended to pass his shares to the SNU. In 1962, he was persuaded to return as it was slowly sinking amidst heavy losses.

Later, Barbanell formed the Spiritual Truth Foundation which owned the shares in Psychic News - partly to prevent the SNU from ever taking control of the newspaper again.

How he must now be shaking his head in dismay.

Posted on July 18th, 2010 by admin in Main News Headline |

Gregory P. Kent
July 26th, 2010 at 8:40 pm

If this is true it’s certainly a sad day for all of us Spiritualists.

USA
Rev Patricia Cleary
August 6th, 2010 at 6:37 am

Very sad to hear the news of the newspaper’s closing. We in Australia rely on the Spiritualist publications, especially those in the UK to bring us up to date with latest (and all the gossip!).

I believe that Spiritualism today is under attack from all angles and that this will increase and malevolent forces are currently at large and that there are many odd people moving into churches who have an underlying desire to cause havoc. Spiritualism like many religions attracts dark forces and although I believe Spirit will always triumph I suppose it shows life wasn’t always meant to be easy and your beliefs will always be under challenge.

Thankfully the Psychic Times is available but a little competition always benefits us all !.

Kind regards,
Reverend Patricia Cleary
President of the Enmore Spiritualist Church
Sydney, Australia.
brian harris
August 11th, 2010 at 1:37 pm

What a tragedy for spiritualism and spiritualist. Let,s hope there,s someone out there who can ressurect it, we cannot let this wonderful paper die let,s face it we all know there,s no such thing as death. Long live the Psychic News.
brian harris
August 11th, 2010 at 2:20 pm

sorry to hear about the shutdown of psychic news.How or where can any one advertise on spirit matters now.
Sally
August 31st, 2010 at 9:04 am

Ditto Gregory….I am shocked that something like this could have happened. I hope a replacement can be found.
Neil Starkey
September 1st, 2010 at 11:53 am

The SNU was set up to take Spiritualism down a cul-de-sac and leave it there. The demise of PN is part of the long-term plan. I blame the freemasonic involvement with the SNU. Didn’t you know? They meet at Stansted Hall four times a year. Fact. Email me on spiritist@britpost.com if you want any more details.
Leo Bonom
September 24th, 2010 at 12:51 pm

I do feel that it is a very sad day for our movement especially in the rights of those voicing opinions as the AFC/SNU seem to have a strangle hold on the teaching and administering of the development in this country, proclaiming itself as foremost whilst making such outlandish claims as in it’s official “Statements”.
Coincidentally (?) there was a furore after the AFC statement’s that are so ludicrous involving such things as “there is no evil” You cannot contact a “spirit that has been aborted” That there is absolutely “no need for protection.” this comes from an organisation that does not screen any of its students. Any circle I have known (I was trained at the S.A.G.B. for approximately eight years) ever, has always screened those who wish to sit. If you have read the four or five articles that have been written in the Psychic news, you will see that even their “Ministers” are not sure of their facts yet they so blatantly advise others going against known facts from those who have been a cornerstone in this movement. I do not only mean the living, they have disregarded the likes of Silver Birch too.

Look at my site if you have not read of cannot find back editions. So soon after this furore, the paper was closed down. I do not say that there is a direct link however I do not ever believe in “coincidence” many others understood that what the AFC/SNU claimed was wrong. I feel that amongst other pressures, this contributed to the decision. I may be wrong; it is for you to judge. Those who worked for the Psychic News should be given leave to express their side of the story.

Leo Bonomo
Leo Bonom
September 24th, 2010 at 12:53 pm

I do feel that it is a very sad day for our movement especially in the rights of those voicing opinions as the AFC/SNU seem to have a strangle hold on the teaching and administering of the development in this country, proclaiming itself as foremost whilst making such outlandish claims as in it’s official “Statements”.
Coincidentally (?) there was a furore after the AFC statement’s that are so ludicrous involving such things as “there is no evil” You cannot contact a “spirit that has been aborted” That there is absolutely “no need for protection.” this comes from an organisation that does not screen any of its students. Any circle I have known (I was trained at the S.A.G.B. for approximately eight years) ever, has always screened those who wish to sit. If you have read the four or five articles that have been written in the Psychic news, you will see that even their “Ministers” are not sure of their facts yet they so blatantly advise others going against known facts from those who have been a cornerstone in this movement. I do not only mean the living, they have disregarded the likes of Silver Birch too.

Look at my site if you have not read or cannot find back editions. So soon after this furore, the paper was closed down. I do not say that there is a direct link however I do not ever believe in “coincidence” many others understood that what the AFC/SNU claimed was wrong. I feel that amongst other pressures, this contributed to the decision. I may be wrong; it is for you to judge. Those who worked for the Psychic News should be given leave to express their side of the story.

Leo Bonomo
Darran Davies
October 13th, 2010 at 5:43 pm

Ive read psychic news for over 29 years and like everyone is saying, it is a sad day for the PN, im sure something could have been done to save it !! But only Stansted will know the real reason, one thing unfortunately is the sign of the times with so many psychic magazines coming out and with spiritualist churches selling them less then half price when they have been read once will have put a strain on the financial state of the psychic news.
I wonder whats next !! I think ill go and ask a psychic !!!
David Whiting
October 30th, 2010 at 2:04 pm

While to replying to a request from the USA for a photo of Lord and Lady Dowding leaving Caxton Hall Registry Office following their marriage on 25 September 1951, it occurred to me that there might be one in the archives of PSYCHIC NEWS.
How dismayed I was to come across your news that the publication had recently closed. ‘Barbie’ the founder was a close friend of the Dowdings who I met many times when he visited us at home in Tunbridge Wells. I wonder what has become of the photos that PSYCHIC NEWS had of my mother and stepfather. Can you advise me who I should contact to recover any that might still exist?

David Whiting, France
Rev Patricia Cleary
November 25th, 2010 at 8:25 am

I think Leo Bonomo that you touch upon the very things that I have been saying.

Reading that you have studied at the S.A.G.B for 8 years: that was the norm many years ago. I’ve watched with disappointment over the past 5 to 10 years as newbies enter the scene and want to do platform almost immediately without formal training or by doing the hard yards.
Every now and then a “natural” will come along with a wonderful gift for communication but they are rare. Sheer hard work is required by most of us and you have to be dedicated.
Kind Regards
Rev Cleary
Enmore Spiritualist Church
Sydney Australia
Rosie Sparkle
December 29th, 2010 at 7:46 pm

To my fellow spiritualists….may the time come again when Psychic News rises from the ashes like a phoenix…with the blessing of Spirit. x

The Psychic Times Newsletter

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter to receive notification of breaking news stories, updates to the website and access to exclusive audio and video interviews.

Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Subscribing to The Psychic Times RSS feed allows you to receive new entries whenever I post them. No more checking the site periodically to see if new content is available.

If you use one of these popular RSS readers, just click the appropriate button below to automatically subscribe to this blog’s RSS feed.