About Catholic Chronicle
For over seven decades, we've been the trusted voice of Catholic communities across North America, delivering news that matters to the faithful and stories that strengthen our bonds of faith.
Our Story
The Early Years (1952-1965)
Catholic Chronicle was born from the vision of Archbishop Michael O'Connor, who recognized the need for authentic Catholic journalism in post-war America. What began as a four-page parish bulletin distributed to 12 churches in Springfield, Illinois, quickly grew as Catholics hungry for news about their faith community embraced our mission.
Our first major scoop came in 1958 when we broke the story of the proposed merger of three struggling inner-city parishes. The community response was so strong that the diocese reversed its decision, establishing our reputation as a voice for the faithful.
By 1965, we had grown to serve the entire Archdiocese of Springfield, with a circulation of 15,000 and a small but dedicated staff of three full-time journalists.
Expansion Era (1966-1990)
The Second Vatican Council marked a turning point for Catholic Chronicle. Under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Margaret Sullivan, we expanded our coverage to include national Catholic affairs, social justice issues, and the changing face of American Catholicism.
In 1971, we established our Vatican correspondent position, making us one of the first regional Catholic publications to maintain permanent coverage in Rome. This investment paid dividends during the papal transitions of the late 1970s, when our exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes reporting gained national attention.
The 1980s saw us tackle difficult stories, including the priest shortage crisis and financial challenges facing Catholic schools. Our investigative series "Crisis of Faith" won the Catholic Press Association's General Excellence Award in 1987.
Digital Transformation (1991-Present)
1990s: Going Online
Launched catholicchronicle.org in 1996, becoming one of the first Catholic publications with a comprehensive web presence. Our online readership quickly surpassed print circulation.
2000s: Multimedia
Added video reporting, podcasts, and live-streaming of major Catholic events. Our coverage of Pope John Paul II's final years brought international recognition.
2010s-Present: Global Reach
Expanded to serve Catholic communities across North America and beyond. Now published in English, Spanish, and French, with correspondents on five continents.
Awards & Recognition
Catholic Press Association
General Excellence Award - Best Catholic Newspaper
Associated Church Press
Award of Excellence for Investigative Reporting
Religion News Association
Best Feature Writing - "Faith in the Pandemic"
Catholic Media Association
Digital Innovation Award
Illinois Press Association
Community Service Award
Catholic Press Association
Best News Coverage - Vatican Synod
Our Editorial Philosophy
Truth in Service: We believe journalism is a ministry, serving truth and the Catholic community with equal dedication.
Faithful Independence: While deeply rooted in Catholic teaching, we maintain editorial independence to serve our readers' need for honest reporting.
Community First: Every story we tell serves to strengthen the bonds of faith that unite Catholic communities worldwide.
Transparency: We hold ourselves to the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, and accountability in all our reporting.
Coverage Areas
Vatican & Rome
Papal activities, Vatican news, Roman Catholic affairs
Local Dioceses
247 parishes across 12 dioceses in the Midwest
Education
Catholic schools, universities, religious education
Social Justice
Catholic social teaching, advocacy, community service
Our Editorial Team
Cardinal Alessandro Rossi
Vatican Correspondent
Cardinal Rossi has been reporting from within the Vatican for over 20 years, offering unparalleled insight into the Holy See's inner workings. He is a leading expert on canon law and technology.
Maria Rodriguez
Diocesan Affairs Reporter
Maria Rodriguez covers diocesan news across North America. Her investigative work has earned her numerous accolades in Catholic journalism.
James Patterson
Parish Life Editor
James Patterson focuses on the stories that shape local parish communities, from heartwarming events to administrative challenges.
Sarah Kim
Culture & Modern Church Reporter
Sarah Kim explores the intersection of faith and modern culture, covering trends in social media, youth ministry, and the evolving Catholic identity.
Brother Francis Xavier
Monastic Life Contributor
Writing from his cloistered monastery, Brother Francis provides a unique perspective on the challenges and beauties of the contemplative life.
Officer Mike Sullivan
Special Contributor
Officer Mike Sullivan occasionally contributes stories from his beat, offering a secular viewpoint on events that intersect with the local Catholic community.
Father Carlos Martinez
Opinion Columnist
Father Martinez serves as pastor of St. Augustine Parish and writes weekly columns on faith, family, and modern Catholic life.
Dr. Elizabeth Thompson
International Correspondent
Dr. Thompson covers global Catholic affairs and has reported from over 30 countries. She holds a doctorate in International Relations from Georgetown University.
Get In Touch
We're here to serve the Catholic community. Reach out with news tips, story ideas, or feedback.
Editorial Office
Catholic Chronicle
1247 Cathedral Avenue, Suite 300
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Fax: (555) 123-4568
Editorial Contacts
Editor-in-Chief:
editor@catholicchronicle.org
News Tips:
tips@catholicchronicle.org
Letters to Editor:
letters@catholicchronicle.org
Events Calendar:
events@catholicchronicle.org
Business Office
Subscriptions:
(555) 123-4569
subscribe@catholicchronicle.org
Advertising:
(555) 123-4570
ads@catholicchronicle.org
Circulation:
circulation@catholicchronicle.org