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

California governor: Pope Francis told me he was ‘proud’ of state’s death penalty moratorium

May 17, 2024 / 15:34 pm

No one has been executed in California since 2006, due in part to a moratorium beginning in 2019 that Newsom oversaw via executive order.

Pro-lifers rally in London amid consideration of abortion amendments

May 17, 2024 / 10:43 am

Pro-life people rallied May 15 outside the Houses of Parliament in London to protest a set of amendments that would further liberalize the U.K.’s abortion laws.

Catholic pilgrimages in the United States: a new renaissance?

May 17, 2024 / 06:00 am

This weekend, the longest Catholic pilgrimages ever organized in the United States — possibly the world — will commence on the edges of the country. 

Pope Francis says conservative critics have a ‘suicidal attitude’

May 16, 2024 / 16:58 pm

The full interview, conducted April 24, will air as part of “60 Minutes” on May 19 from 7-8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Vatican halts some parish closures in St. Louis following appeals

May 15, 2024 / 14:47 pm

As part of the archdiocese’s major pastoral planning initiative, the archbishop announced that the number of parishes would be reduced by nearly 50.

Downgrading marijuana’s danger level: What Catholics should know

May 13, 2024 / 06:00 am

Marijuana usage remains a controversial topic among many people of faith, including Catholics. Here’s what you need to know. 

Tabernacle untouched at Oklahoma parish hit by powerful tornado

May 11, 2024 / 06:00 am

Father Emmanuel Nduka, who pastors three local churches including St. Mary’s, told CNA that the tabernacle’s survival served as a sign of God’s presence. 

San Antonio archbishop deletes some social media posts about Gaza war

May 9, 2024 / 15:35 pm

In posts on X, Archbishop Gustavo García-Sillar expressed solidarity with Palestinians while also appearing to conflate the Jewish people with the state of Israel.

Catholic radio stations push back on new race and gender reporting rules 

May 8, 2024 / 17:23 pm

In February, FCC commissioners reinstated a requirement that radio stations must annually file a document that lists the race and gender of their employees.

Minnesota bishops urge opposition to ‘Equal Rights Amendment’

May 7, 2024 / 15:00 pm

Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester warned that the proposal constitutes “an imposition of the sexual revolution on the people of our state.”

Global fertility rates: Here’s how majority-Catholic countries rank against rest of world

May 7, 2024 / 06:00 am

Catholic populations have for years been associated with high fertility rates — but that has changed.

Not all Catholic AI bots are creepy: Some new tools for learning about the faith

May 6, 2024 / 06:00 am

In the past year or so, several online AI tools have been released that generate authoritative-sounding answers about Catholic teaching based on users’ questions. 

Biden awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Jesuit priest for work with youth

May 3, 2024 / 15:30 pm

Boyle, ordained a priest in 1984, founded Homeboy Industries in 1992 while pastor of Dolores Mission, a Catholic church and school in Los Angeles.

Nebraska parish mobilizes to help neighbors after massive tornado

Apr 30, 2024 / 12:15 pm

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn, Nebraska, a suburb northwest of Omaha, mobilized volunteers in recent days to coordinate donations.

9 facts about Catholics in the U.S., according to Pew research

Apr 15, 2024 / 06:00 am

Among the findings: Just 3 in 10 U.S. Catholics (28%) say they attend Mass weekly or more often.

Pope Francis’ approval rating remains high in the U.S. but has slipped since 2021

Apr 12, 2024 / 17:00 pm

In addition, the Pew report suggests that a majority of Catholics in the U.S. want the Church to change its teaching on a number of key issues.

California bishop praises district attorney for seeking to change death sentences

Apr 11, 2024 / 14:50 pm

“Catholic social teaching urges us to recognize the dignity of every human being, especially the most vulnerable,” Bishop Oscar Cantú of San Jose said.

New Idaho law aims to protect against forced use of incorrect pronouns, names

Apr 10, 2024 / 15:00 pm

The new law covers government employees and students at public schools.

Catholic bishops say abortion can ‘never be a fundamental right’ ahead of EU charter vote

Apr 9, 2024 / 17:30 pm

Catholic bishops in the European Union reiterated that a right to abortion can never be a “fundamental” right ahead of a Thursday vote to amend the EU charter. 

Missouri governor denies clemency to death row inmate despite Catholic protests

Apr 9, 2024 / 14:15 pm

The Catholic bishops of Missouri had strongly urged the faithful to contact Gov. Mike Parson and ask him to stay Brian Dorsey’s execution.