'Independent' journalist is first woman to edit 'Tablet'

Catherine Pepinster, the executive editor of The Independent on Sunday, has been appointed the first female editor of the leading Roman Catholic weekly newspaper The Tablet.

Ms Pepinster succeeds John Wilkins, who is retiring after 22 years in the post.

The Tablet, which was founded in 1840, has a circulation of 22,000 and is influential throughout the English-speaking Catholic world.

A practising Catholic, Ms Pepinster, 44, is expected to take a particular interest in issues of human rights, ethics and spirituality. "I hope my appointment will be a sign and a symbol of the vital and valuable role that women can have in the life of the church," she said yesterday.

"The Tablet will remain a focus for not only the intelligent examination of difficult issues, but also for the reassurance that commonly held standards and beliefs can bring ... I intend to maintain The Tablet's high standards ... I want The Tablet to be questioning, lively and accessible but above all it will be unapologetically serious."

Ms Pepinster takes up her new post in January.