Jonah McKeown

Jonah McKeown

Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.

Articles by Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis hears young people’s confessions in Lisbon

Aug 4, 2023 / 10:30 am

Pope Francis on Friday heard the confessions of three young people in the Jardim Vasco da Gama, renamed Reconciliation Park for World Youth Day.

Generation Xers’ church attendance drops to millennial levels, survey suggests

Aug 3, 2023 / 13:30 pm

Church attendance has dropped off since the pandemic for Generation X more sharply than for other age groups since the pandemic, according to a new survey. 

Tree of Life synagogue shooter handed federal death penalty

Aug 3, 2023 / 10:30 am

Robert G. Bowers is the first person to be condemned to death under the Biden administration, which placed the federal death penalty under moratorium in 2021. 

Florida bishops request clemency for death row inmate

Aug 2, 2023 / 13:00 pm

James Phillip Barnes is scheduled to die Thursday, but bishops in Florida have appealed to Gov. Ron DeSantis for a stay.

World Youth Day 2023: Lisbon patriarch greets attendees at opening Mass

Aug 1, 2023 / 14:55 pm

World Youth Day 2023 kicked off in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 1 with an opening Mass attended by hundreds of thousands of people.

St. Louis parishes dodge closure by appealing to the Vatican

Aug 1, 2023 / 11:30 am

Seven parishes plan to send appeals to the Vatican, putting the mergers planned for the parishes on hold until the Dicastery for the Clergy issues a ruling.

Biden administration to pay fee for attempted exclusion of NFP methods from insurance

Aug 1, 2023 / 08:45 am

Alliance Defending Freedom announced July 27 that a federal court has ordered the Biden administration to pay $65,000 in attorneys’ fees.

UPDATE: Missouri death row inmate to be executed Tuesday

Jul 31, 2023 / 16:00 pm

Catholics in St. Louis and across Missouri, as well as Pope Francis himself, had advocated for a stay of Johnny Johnson’s execution.

Catholic blogger remains detained in Belarus after criticizing regime

Jul 31, 2023 / 08:20 am

Already three years into his 15-year prison sentence for criticizing the country’s regime, Ihar Losik has not been heard from since February.

Parish named for Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus keeps the faith on Chicago’s South Side

Jul 29, 2023 / 02:30 am

A parish under the three siblings’ patronage celebrates unity as it marks the July 29 feast day of the three friends of Jesus.

Missouri death row inmate granted stay of execution following Catholic advocacy

Jul 26, 2023 / 13:30 pm

Catholics across Missouri had advocated for a stay of Johnny Johnson’s execution, citing the Church’s teaching on the admissibility of the death penalty. 

UPDATED: Which U.S. dioceses have declared bankruptcy? Here’s a map

Jul 24, 2023 / 11:15 am

More than two dozen U.S. dioceses, including two in U.S. overseas territories, have entered into bankruptcy proceedings, the vast majority in the past decade.

How AI is helping to translate the Bible into rare languages

Jul 18, 2023 / 07:00 am

A team of researchers is seeking to put AI to use for a different and more noble purpose — the translation of the Bible into extremely rare languages. 

Young podcaster emulates media priest Father Mike Schmitz with ‘Kid’s Bible in a Year’

May 6, 2023 / 04:00 am

Teddy Howell, 9, is the creator of a new podcast, launched March 12, that helps kids encounter the Lord in the Bible.

A guide to the Christian — and Catholic — symbolism in King Charles III’s coronation

May 5, 2023 / 10:00 am

As the new monarch of England is crowned, the ceremony’s many symbols and traditions are rooted in history.

Archbishop Coakley: Respond with love to those with gender dysphoria without compromising truth

May 4, 2023 / 08:00 am

Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City in an interview this week called for responding to those experiencing gender dysphoria with empathy. 

Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria question U.S. report that portrays Fulani as victims

May 2, 2023 / 07:25 am

Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria are criticizing a new report prepared by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.  

Assisted suicide in the United States: Where is it legal?

Apr 29, 2023 / 09:00 am

While euthanasia is still illegal in the U.S., 10 states now allow assisted suicide, and at least a dozen are currently considering legislation to legalize it.

Vatican preparing text for divorced and remarried couples, Cardinal Farrell says

Apr 25, 2023 / 15:50 pm

The Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life will prepare the text at the request of Pope Francis.

Lay ministry must be done in service to others and not become ‘self-referential,’ Pope Francis says

Apr 25, 2023 / 14:50 pm

Pope Francis emphasized the importance of lay ministers working in service to others rather than as a way to inflate their egos.