I am delighted to share this press release with you, just approved by our Board of Directors in today's meeting.
Matt Malone, SJ, Appointed Editor-in-Chief of AmericaMagazine
Youngest Editor-in-Chief in Publication’s History
to Lead Nation’s Only Catholic Weekly Magazine
(New York, N.Y., June 5, 2012) -- For over a century, America, the only national Catholic weekly magazine in the United States, has provided a provocative and distinctly Jesuit voice on religion, society, politics and culture. That proud history continues today as America’s board of directors named Matt Malone, SJ its newest and youngest editor-in-chief. Father Malone, 40, who assumes his appointment in October, succeeds Drew Christiansen, SJ, who has served as America’s editor-in-chief since 2005. Father Christiansen will be on sabbatical for the next year, serving as a visiting scholar in theology at Boston College. In January 2014, Father Christiansen will assume a senior academic appointment at a leading Jesuit university.
Father Matt Malone, America’s newest editor-in-chief, served for two years as an associate editor for the publication from 2007-2009, where he covered foreign policy and domestic politics and earned a first place award from the Catholic Press Association for a moving essay recounting his father’s decision to forgive the man responsible for Father Malone’s brother’s death in a drunk driving incident in 1984. Earlier in his career, Father Malone served as deputy director of MassINC, an independent political think tank, and co-publisher of CommonWealth, an award-winning review of politics, policy, ideas and civic life. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Master’s Degree in philosophy from Fordham University and a graduate degree in theology from Heythrop College in Great Britain and The Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
“We are pleased to welcome Father Matt Malone back home to America, a place that’s meaningful to him both as a journalist and a Jesuit. A talented writer and editor, he is uniquely qualified to help lead America into its next century,” said Albert C. Pierce, chair of the Board of Directors of America Press, Inc. John Schlegel, SJ, President and Publisher of America, added, “As the 14th editor in America’s 100-year history, Father Malone knows he has big shoes to fill, and we’re confident that he will exceed all expectations.”
About his new role, Father Malone said, “I’m honored by this appointment and grateful to be able to return to America. The publication has a storied tradition and is well positioned for a bright future. America’s mission has never been more relevant. Questions of faith and culture, democracy and Catholicism – the very questions that America has explored for more than a century – will continue to dominate the public argument. I look forward to continuing the conversation.”
Father Schlegel also praised the contributions of current editor-in-chief, Father Drew Christiansen, noting his leadership through a period of major transition, including instituting a new board of directors comprised of Jesuit and lay trustees, expanding America’s web presence and leading the publication through its centennial celebration in 2009.
Mr. Pierce noted Father Christiansen’s important role: “Americamagazine has always been committed to ideas and to rigorous and civil dialogue, and Father Christiansen championed both during his seven years leading the publication. From politics to social justice to foreign affairs, he challenged America’s readers to consider the most important issues of the day and, in the process, created a platform for faith and freedom.”
Father Christiansen noted, “Americahas always played a key role in ‘the broad middle’ of U. S. Catholic life, and many readers have told us they regard it as a lifeline in sustaining their Catholic commitment. I wish Father Malone and the whole staff well as they continue the journey of America’s second century. Matt possesses the talent and experience to help take this Jesuit ministry into once unimagined space in the digital universe.”
While America started as and remains a print publication, it has a vibrant and growing online presence and a cadre of respected contributors, including the best-selling author (and "The Colbert Report" chaplain) James Martin, SJ, and Margaret Silf, known for her writing on Ignatian spirituality.
For more information about Father Malone’s appointment, please contact John Schlegel, SJ, America's president and publisher, at president@americamagazine.org
***
About America
America is a Catholic media ministry connecting the church and the modern world. Cultivating the Ignatian tradition of “finding God in all things” and the promotion of justice shapes America’s commentary on religion, politics and culture from a Catholic perspective. Founded in 1909 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order), the largest order of priests and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church, America is a resource for spiritual renewal and social analysis guided by the spirit of charity. For more information, log onto www.americamagazine.org.
***
On a personal note, I want to say how delighted I am that Matt has been chosen to succeed Drew. I can think of (literally) no one who is as qualified to take over as editor in chief of our wonderful magazine. He's bright, enthusiastic, hardworking, energetic, curious, articulate and quick-witted. A prayerful man and a man of the church who already has a great deal of experience at America, his appointment (which we have known about for several months) was welcome news to the staff (who will also miss Drew enormously.) A word about "Father" Malone, though: Matt has just finished his Jesuit studies for ordination, and will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday at Fordham University's Chapel, along with two of his Jesuit brothers, by Edward Cardinal Egan. So Editor in Chief beginning in October. "Father" beginning on Saturday, around noon. Ad multos annos!
Your foreign policy experience will be important to educating America readers (and Americans in general) on how our nation can benefit from the experience of other nations.
We Americans seem to think we are the only ones who have ever confronted problems posed by the need for health care, immigration, education, the iincreasing gap between rich and poor, incarceration of offenders, and the like. In fact, developed countries around the world seem to be doing better at all these things, by any statistical measure.
I remember the appointment of Robert Ellsberg as perhaps the youngest Editor in Chief at ORBIS books and know what a magnificent job he has done and imagine these two know each other and will continue to keep a perspective on the issues of the world and church that reflect the "underside" of history.
One little thing also that I'm not sure where the problem lies.. the America website seems slow to respond and down more ofoten than some others and I don't know how easily fixable that is...but maybe that's just me...