Joshua J. McElwee
Joshua J. McElwee was NCR's news editor from 2021-24. He was previously the publication's Vatican correspondent from 2014-21, where his dispatches from Rome and during papal trips abroad were frequently cited by his peers, and broadly seen as a touchstone for nuanced Vatican and papal coverage.
Among McElwee's most noted work was his years-long, tenacious coverage of Pope Francis' clergy abuse commission, which through a series of exclusive interviews with ex-members of the group revealed serious shortcomings to its work.
McElwee was also the first journalist to break the news of Pope Francis' promise during a meeting with an international group of sisters and nuns in 2016 to create a commission to study the history of the ordination of women as deacons in the Catholic Church.
McElwee reported for NCR from 39 countries and traveled for the publication in the press pool abroad with Pope Francis 24 times.
By this Author
Cardinal Wuerl: Bishops and synod should meet people where they are
Chicago's Cupich on divorce: Pastor guides decisions, but person's conscience inviolable
Synod debates divorce question, Pell says mercy found in hard truths
German group at synod united: Church doctrine has developed over time
Australian archbishop: Synod should propose 'less negative' reading of reality
Synod reports again express differences among bishops, cardinal denies stalemate
Francis publicly apologizes for unspecified “scandals” caused by church recently
Australian archbishop: Synod must change church’s language, actions
Cardinals reportedly criticize synod in letter to Francis, but signatories disassociate
Malawi archbishop: Africans at Synod sharing same message of proud heritage
Synod expresses differing thoughts on mercy, marriage indissolubility
Ethiopian cardinal: Synod should highlight mercy, not condemnation
Synod bishops express confusion in group reports, cardinal calls it healthy
German archbishop: Church’s stance on divorce makes people ‘doubt God’
Ghanaian archbishop: Africans not 'blocking' discussions at synod
Canadian archbishop's full remarks to Synod on women deacons
Philly’s Chaput: Bishops sorting out into lobbying groups at synod
Belgian bishop asks Synod for 'space and responsibility' to make decisions for diocese
