New York, N.Y. (July 11, 2014) – Father Matt Malone, S.J., editor in chief of America, announced today the appointment of Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, R.S.M., as U.S. Church Correspondent. Sister Walsh is the current Director of Media Relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and will step down from that post this summer. In her new role, Sister Walsh will be responsible for planning and producing America’s coverage of the U.S. Church. In addition to feature writing, Sr. Walsh will make contributions to America’s blogs and other digital platforms and will write a column on the U.S. Church for the print edition.
Sr. Walsh’s appointment is the latest development in the most dramatic expansion of America’s domestic and international coverage in 30 years.“We are delighted to welcome Sr. Mary Ann to America,” said Father Malone. “Her unique experience and unparalleled knowledge of the U.S. Church will be a great boon for our growing readership. And her appointment is a significant ‘first’ in another way: Sister Mary Ann will be the first religious sister to serve on America’s editorial staff in our long, storied history.”
Sister Mary Ann Walsh, R.S.M., is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Northeast Community. She holds a master’s degree in English from the College of St. Rose and a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola College of Maryland. She served as a correspondent for Catholic News Service in Rome and Washington and as director of communications for World Youth Day in Denver in 1993. She then began her work in media relations for the U.S. bishops. She is an award-winning writer and has been published in The Washington Post, USA Today and Editor & Publisher, among others, and is the editor of three books: Pope John Paul II: A Light for the World; From John Paul II to Benedict XVI: An Inside Look at the End of an Era…; and Benedict XVI: Essays and Reflections on His Papacy.
America is the leading national Catholic weekly magazine, a smart Catholic take on religion, politics and culture. Founded in 1909 by the Jesuit order and directed today by Jesuits and lay colleagues, America is a resource for spiritual renewal and social analysis guided by the spirit of charity.