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

This bishop braves the Australian Outback daily to care for his Catholics

Dec 6, 2021 / 13:12 pm

Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green leads the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes in the Australian Outback. He tells us about the extraordinary challenges and blessings that come with his role.

Archbishop Aquila urges Catholics to 're-acquire a biblical worldview' this Advent

Dec 3, 2021 / 17:00 pm

In a pastoral note for Advent, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver urged Catholics to seek a way of seeing the world informed by the Bible and the story of salvation brought about by Christ’ death and resurrection. 

Dobbs v. Jackson: What did Roberts, Kavanaugh, and Barrett say?

Dec 1, 2021 / 17:22 pm

As the wait begins for a decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization abortion case, close attention will be paid to the comments and questions of three conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court that some observers view as possible swing votes: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., and Associate Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

Catholic priests survey finds lower morale, 'conservative shift' among U.S. clergy

Nov 29, 2021 / 13:00 pm

A new survey released this month suggests a more “pessimistic” view of the Catholic Church among U.S. priests today as compared to 2002, as well as an increasing perception of “more theologically conservative or orthodox” young priests as compared to their older counterparts. 

The powerful witness of Native American Catholics

Nov 22, 2021 / 10:12 am

Pablo Tac was a young Luiseño Indian man who wished to become a missionary priest. A petition to open his sainthood cause is gaining traction. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we learn more about Pablo’s story, and revisit the stories of Squanto and Nicholas Black Elk.

Denver archbishop, writing in Washington Post, decries vandalism of Catholic property

Nov 19, 2021 / 11:30 am

Incidents include graffiti sprayed on church walls, Catholic statues beheaded or smashed, gravestones desecrated with swastikas, and arson.

Support for religious freedom up among Americans; majority consider worship ‘essential,’ survey says

Nov 17, 2021 / 14:34 pm

The survey found that among the various demographic groups they surveyed, the people most likely to rate religious activities as 'essential' were Republicans, Generation X, and Black and Hispanic people.

Catholic school defends importance of pro-life assembly boycotted by students

Nov 3, 2021 / 11:19 am

Students at a Catholic high school in San Francisco staged a walkout last month to protest an all-school assembly which featured a pro-life speaker, but the school's president defended the importance of the talk.

Diary of an Exorcist

Oct 25, 2021 / 15:17 pm

Monsignor Stephen Rossetti has been an exorcist in the Archdiocese of Washington for more than a dozen years. He shares his experiences and how Catholics can avoid crossing paths with demons.

Human rights begin in the womb, Cardinal Dolan says

Oct 23, 2021 / 14:45 pm

The first step to ending all forms of violence in society— whether related to crime, racism, or poverty— is ending the violence of abortion, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York wrote in an Oct. 20 column. 

British doctors say they will not participate in assisted suicide if it becomes legal

Oct 21, 2021 / 17:00 pm

A group of some 1,700 British doctors say they will not participate in assisted suicide, amid a push by some lawmakers to legalize the practice in England and Wales. 

Missouri Christian church wins settlement over coronavirus restrictions on worship

Oct 20, 2021 / 18:00 pm

A Kansas City-area Baptist megachurch has reached a $150,000 settlement with the county over coronavirus restrictions, with the church claiming that the county treated them more harshly than secular institutions when it came to COVID protocols. 

Spanish prime minister pledges to outlaw prostitution

Oct 19, 2021 / 15:01 pm

Spain’s prime minister has vowed to end the practice of prostitution in the country, saying it enslaves women. 

US Justice Department asks Supreme Court to block Texas heartbeat abortion law

Oct 18, 2021 / 12:05 pm

The US Department of Justice on Monday asked the Supreme Court to block a Texas pro-life law, in effect since September, which bans abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat and relies on private lawsuits filed by citizens to enforce the ban.

Murdered British lawmaker was Catholic, pro-life

Oct 15, 2021 / 11:45 am

A British lawmaker died Friday after suffering multiple stab wounds at a Methodist church in southeast England. 

Northern Ireland considering abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ law

Oct 14, 2021 / 16:01 pm

A proposal to require so-called “buffer zones” around abortion clinics - an area where protests would not be allowed - is reportedly drawing support in Northern Ireland’s parliament. If passed, the law, which has progressed past the first legislative stage, would be the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. 

US dioceses prepare to open synod process this month

Oct 14, 2021 / 14:35 pm

Dioceses across the United States are preparing for the consultation process for the Synod on Synodality, a two-year, worldwide undertaking during which Catholics will be encouraged to submit feedback to their local diocese.

Mapping the Catholic Church, Healing the Earth

Oct 11, 2021 / 14:10 pm

This week on the podcast, we'll talk to Molly Burhans, a Catholic scientist and mapmaker who is using high-tech maps to make the Church more sustainable, and more effective at Her mission.

Denver cathedral vandalized with anti-Catholic slogans 

Oct 11, 2021 / 12:18 pm

The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Denver was spray-painted with anti-Catholic slogans on Sunday, the latest in a series of vandalism incidents against Catholic buildings in Colorado. 

Texas ‘heartbeat’ abortion law temporarily reinstated amid legal fight

Oct 9, 2021 / 07:49 am

A federal court on Friday evening issued a ruling allowing a Texas state law, which restricts abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, to take effect again amid an ongoing court fight.