The Future of Catholic Periodicals: Faith, Finances, and the Digital Age

Paul Baumann,ÌýCommonweal Magazine
Matt Malone, S.J.,ÌýAmerica Magazine
Meinrad Sherer-Emunds,ÌýU.S. Catholic Magazine
Moderated byÌýTom Roberts,ÌýNational Catholic Reporter

Date:ÌýFebruary 20, 2013

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Abstract

Tom Roberts will moderate a discussion among the chief editors of prominent Catholic magazines regarding the opportunities and challenges covering the Catholic Church in the 21st century.

Speaker Bio

Paul Baumann


Paul BaumannÌýis editor ofÌýÌýmagazine, the independent biweekly journal of opinion edited by lay Catholics.ÌýCommonweal, established in 1924, describes itself as a "review of Public Affairs, Religion, Literature, and the Arts." It is located in New York City. Baumann, a former newspaper editorial writer, came toÌýCommonwealÌýin 1990, and was named editor in 2003. His writing has also appeared inÌýThe New York Times,ÌýWashington Post,ÌýWashington Monthly,ÌýChicago Tribune,ÌýColumbia Journalism Review, and other newspapers and magazines. He is the co-editor, along with Patrick Jordan, ofÌýCommonweal Confronts the Century: Liberal Convictions, Catholic TraditionÌý(Touchstone). Baumann has a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a Master of the Arts of Religion (M.A.R.) from Yale University.

Matt Malone, S.J.

Matt Malone, S.J.Ìýis the 14th and youngest editor in chief inÌý's history. Fr. Malone began his tenure as editor in chief on October 1, 2012. He served for two years as an associate editor from 2007-2009, when he covered foreign policy and domestic politics. He was the recipient of the 2006 first place Catholic Press Association award for essay writing. Earlier in his career, Fr. Malone served as deputy director of MassINC, an independent political think tank, and co-publisher ofÌýCommonWealth, an award-winning review of politics, ideas and civic life. His work has appeared in numerous national and international publications. Fr. Malone received his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He holds a M.A. from Fordham University, a Bachelor of Divinity from Heythrop College and the University of London and a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Louvain.

Meinrad Scherer-Emunds

Meinrad Scherer-EmundsÌýhas been a member of the Claretian Publications team since 1992. He was appointed editorial director of Claretian Publications and executive editor ofÌýÌýin 2003. Prior to that, Scherer-Emunds was managing editor ofÌýU.S. CatholicÌýand its sister publication, the social-justice magazineÌýSalt of the Earth. His areas of expertise include Catholic social teaching, theology, and family spirituality. Scherer-Emunds received his Masters of Divinity from the University of Bonn's Catholic School of Theology.

In the News

In hisÌý, Clyde Haberman accounts his lunch with Matthew Malone, S.J., chief editor ofÌýAmerica Magazine. Malone discusses Jesuit spirituality and the implications of having a Jesuit Pope, as well as his personal faith journey.

Kathleen Sullivan of theÌýÌýsummarizes the February 20th panel, "The Future of Catholic Periodicals: Faith, Finances, and the Digital Age." While the panelists aknowledged the difficulties of changing demographics, technology, and methods of funding, they maintained that Catholic periodicals play a critical role in both Catholic discourse and in the portrayal of Catholic beliefs and practices in the secular media.