Heidi Schlumpf

Heidi Schlumpf is NCR senior correspondent. Her email address is hschlumpf@ncronline.org. Follow her on Twitter: @HeidiSchlumpf.

Schlumpf was previously NCR's executive editor and a national correspondent. As national correspondent, Schlumpf did in-depth coverage on the influence of money in the church, sex abuse, politics, women's issues, racism and young people in the church. Her work has included investigations into Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) and popular Catholic author Matthew Kelly. She previously wrote an opinion column for NCR for almost a decade.

Schlumpf has three decades of experience covering religion, spirituality, social justice and women's issues, having previously served as managing editor of U.S. Catholic magazine and as a reporter at Chicago's archdiocesan newspaper and secular newspapers in California and Wisconsin. Her work has been published by CNN Opinion, Sojourners and Huffington Post. She taught journalism as an associate professor of communication at Aurora University in Illinois.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she also earned a master's of theological studies from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University, where she studied with feminist theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether.

She is the author/editor of three books, including Elizabeth A. Johnson: Questing for God (Liturgical Press, 2016), the Notre Dame Book of Prayer (Ave Maria, 2010) and While We Wait: Spiritual & Practical Advice for Those Trying to Adopt (ACTA, 2009).

Schlumpf is based in Chicago, where she lives with her husband, Edmund, and their two children, and where she is a member of St. Gertrude Parish.

By this Author

Residents of San Diego drive up to drop off their mail-in ballots at the offices of the Registrar of Voters for San Diego County Oct. 19. (CNS/Reuters/Mike Blake)

The Francis Effect podcast: Election update, Michigan militias and 'Fratelli Tutti'

Listen: NCR's Heidi Schlumpf has joined "The Francis Effect" podcast for its new season as a co-host with Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan and David Dault. The podcast is available on NCR's site and various podcast apps.

The Francis Effect podcast: Open SCOTUS seat, Trump's taxes and Fr. Flannery

Listen: NCR's Heidi Schlumpf has joined "The Francis Effect" podcast for its new season as a co-host with Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan and David Dault. The podcast will be available on NCR's site and various podcast apps.

Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor, weeps during a Sept. 15 news conference announcing a $12 million civil settlement between the Taylor's estate and the city of Louisville, Kentucky. (CNS/Reuters/Bryan Woolston)

The Francis Effect podcast: Baptism, the Breonna Taylor settlement and Mass in Milwaukee

Listen: NCR's Heidi Schlumpf has joined "The Francis Effect" podcast for its new season as a co-host with Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan and David Dault. The podcast is available on NCR's site and various podcast apps.

People in Washington gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, Sept. 18. (CNS/Reuters/Al Drago)

The church needs 'notorious' women willing to dissent, too

NCR Connections: In a culture that does not normally value elderly women, some found it surprising that Justics Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a cultural icon in her 80s.

A Trump supporter in Kenosha, Wisconsin, exchanges words with protesters Sept. 1, during President Donald Trump's visit there. (CNS/Reuters/Kamil Krzaczynski)

Be not afraid: Is safety a Christian virtue?

NCR Connections: Even before the shootings in Kenosha, the Trump campaign had been warning since July: "You won't be safe in Joe Biden's America." But I don’t feel safe in Donald Trump's America.

The U.S. Capitol in Washington is seen March 18. (CNS/ Reuters/Tom Brenner)

The Francis Effect podcast: Political conventions, Catholic politics and the Season of Creation

Listen: NCR's Heidi Schlumpf has joined "The Francis Effect" podcast for its new season as a co-host with Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan and David Dault. The podcast will be available on NCR's site and various podcast apps.

(Unsplash/Jason Leung)

Disagreeing without being disagreeable

NCR Connections: After last week's deluge of hate mail, Mary FioRito's and Gloria Purvis' rebuttals to my column on AOC demonstrated a heartening ability to disagree without being disagreeable.

AOC is the future of the Catholic Church

NCR Connections: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's stunning 10-minute speech on the House floor last week has been called a lot of things, including "a lesson in sexism and decency." I just call it "truth."

The problems with papal politicking

NCR Connections: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, like many Catholics on the right, may have confused the church's next conclave — whenever it may be — with this November's upcoming presidential election.

Paying the price for anti-racism work

NCR Connections: EWTN's radio show "Morning Glory" has been temporarily suspended by one of its largest U.S. affiliate stations, following social media backlash against host Gloria Purvis.

The debate about debate

NCR Connections: What qualifies as the subject of legitimate debate in publications?

Demonstrators hold placards during a protest in Washington June 1. (CNS/Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

White people, let's do our homework

NCR Connections: As news of racist tragedies unfolded, I sought out my own "white people's homework," those books, videos and more meant to educate white Americans about racism, white privilege and white supremacy.

Editorial independence in Catholic media is critical

NCR Connections: U.S. Catholic magazine recently removed two essays critical of Cardinal Timothy Dolan and his fawning attention to President Trump. That editorial decision has wider implications.

Theologians take convention online

The College Theology Society (CTS) has moved its three plenary addresses, 42 workshops, the president's address and even an abbreviated awards ceremony and business meeting to a digital platform for its May 28-30 convention.

Mick Mulvaney, former Trump White House chief of staff, speaks April 23, 2019, during the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington. Last week, Mulvaney did a "virtual town hall" with supporters of CatholicVote.org. (CNS/Tyler Orsburn)

When church leaders sound like presidential apologists

NCR Connections: We're seeing a rash of virtual events aimed at voters of faith, especially Catholics. But we should be able to tell religious leaders apart from political operatives.

'God makes a way': African American parishes respond to COVID-19 disparity

Systemic inequalities that cause poverty, health issues and problems with access to care put African Americans at much higher risk of COVID-19. NCR talks to parishes and other Catholic organizations in Baton Rouge, Detroit and Chicago about outreach, finances and outlook.

Triage and ventilator rationing not the only ethical issues in pandemic, bioethicists say

Catholic bioethicists say clinical triage decisions are only part of many broader ethical concerns, including paid sick leave, truthful political communication and payment assistance for testing and treatment.

The church after coronavirus: new understandings of social mission

Social service and emergency care providers are pressed to find new ways to address people's needs in a time of health care crisis around the world. How will the pandemic change the way the church's social mission is perceived — and supported — in the future?

The church after coronavirus: Crisis exposes what is essential

Global crises can lead to seismic changes or just clarify current challenges and possibilities. What kind of shift is taking place as people experience the Eucharist virtually and apart? NCR surveyed two dozen theologians, social directors, non-profit leaders and pastors. This is Part 2 of three parts and includes six responders.

The church after coronavirus: How our communities are changing

It is a time of profound change. NCR surveyed two dozen theologians, social directors, non-profit leaders and pastors, asking them to consider what closed buildings and separation could mean for the church in the long term. This is Part 1 of three parts, focusing on community, and includes seven responders.

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