Michael Brooks
Catholic News Service (CNS) is an American news agency that shut down its domestic services in 2022 but continues to provide worldwide coverage. CNS is owned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and is editorially independent. CNS has been criticized for one-sided conservatism in its commentary, and its former director and editor-in-chief, Tony Spence, was removed in 2016 due to his support for LGBT rights. While CNS is known for its extensive coverage of Catholic Church news, other sources such as Vatican News, BBC, and NPR are also recommended by Catholics for international news and local events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Owned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) |
| Editorial stance | Editorially independent |
| Editorial content | Reports on Catholic Church news and world events |
| Editorial tone | One-sided conservatism |
| Business model | Financially self-sustaining |
| History | Established in 1920 as the National Catholic Welfare Council (NCWC) Press Department |
| Leadership | Led by Tony Spence from 2004 to 2016 |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic News Service's editorial stance
Catholic News Service (CNS) is an American news agency owned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). CNS describes itself as the primary source of national and global news for the US Catholic press. It is editorially independent and financially self-sustaining. CNS was established in 1920 as the National Catholic Welfare Council (NCWC) Press Department. In the 1960s, it became the National Catholic News Service and later dropped "National" from its name in 1986 to indicate its intention to provide worldwide coverage.
CNS is staffed by professional journalists who report the news using the highest journalistic standards. It is known for its old-fashioned journalism that delivers news without opinion. CNS has an impressive volume of coverage, including appointments and deaths of bishops, meetings, and statements. In addition, it provides Spanish translations of some pieces.
However, some critics argue that CNS has a conservative bias. For example, in 2016, Tony Spence, the director and editor-in-chief of CNS, was removed due to his posts on Twitter in favour of LGBT rights, which some Catholics criticized. Additionally, CNS has been accused of publishing one-sided conservative commentary and favouring conservative views of certain popes while ignoring their stances on Catholic social teaching and social justice.
CNS's domestic (United States) service ceased operations on 31 December 2022 due to a USCCB decision. However, its Rome bureau continues to operate, reporting on the Vatican and related international events. The closure of CNS's domestic operations has left some Catholics concerned about the availability of unbiased Catholic news sources, as many other outlets are influenced by conservative or liberal biases.
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Catholic News Service's ownership
The Catholic News Service (CNS) is an American news agency owned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was established in 1920 as the National Catholic Welfare Council (NCWC) Press Department. In the 1960s, it became the National Catholic News Service, dropping the "National" from its name in 1986 to indicate its intention to provide worldwide coverage.
On May 4, 2022, CNS announced that it would cease its operations in the United States on December 31, 2022, due to a decision of the USCCB. However, its Rome bureau continues to operate and report on the Vatican and related international events. The news agency's domestic distribution platform and archives were acquired by Our Sunday Visitor and used to launch OSV News.
The Catholic News Agency (CNA), on the other hand, is a separate news service owned by Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). It was founded in 2004 in Denver, Colorado, as the English section of the worldwide ACI Group, which also publishes the Spanish-language news service ACI Prensa. CNA was acquired by EWTN in 2014 and is now based in Washington, D.C.
EWTN, the owner of CNA, is the largest religious media network in the world, with a global reach of over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. It was founded in 1981 and provides direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide shortwave radio stations, an Internet website, and a publishing arm.
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Catholic News Service's competition
The Catholic News Service (CNS) is an American news agency owned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was established in 1920 as the National Catholic Welfare Council (NCWC) Press Department. CNS describes itself as the primary source of national and global news that the US Catholic press reports. It is editorially independent and financially self-sustaining.
CNS's Rome bureau has been providing complete, in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years. In 2025, the Catholic Media Association recognized the work of the CNS Rome staff, awarding them nine awards during the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
Some of the winning entries include:
- Best Feature Writing -- National Newspaper or Wire Service for "Angels or aliens? Some researchers say Vatican Archives hold UFO secrets" by Robert Duncan
- Second place for Best News Writing on a Local or Regional Event -- Wire Service for "Vatican sees spiritual value of Medjugorje, doesn't judge it supernatural" by Cindy Wooden
- Second place for Best Story and Photo Package by Two Individuals or More for "From on High: A Rare Glimpse from the Top of St. Peter's Baldachin" by Justin McLellan and Lola Gomez
In addition to CNS, other Catholic news outlets have also received awards for their work. For example, Catholic Review Media won 63 awards in 2025, including the top prize in the regional competition.
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Catholic News Service's journalists
Catholic News Service (CNS) is an American news agency owned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was established in 1920 as the National Catholic Welfare Council (NCWC) Press Department. While it is editorially independent, it is financially sustained by the USCCB. CNS is staffed by professional journalists who report the news using the highest journalistic standards without opinion. CNS journalists include Jerry Filteau and John Thavis, among others. The agency's domestic (United States) service shut down on 30 December 2022, but CNS continues to function from its Rome bureau, reporting on the Vatican and related international events.
CNS has been criticised for its one-sided conservatism in published commentary. For example, in 2016, its director and editor-in-chief, Tony Spence, was removed after a number of Catholics criticised his posts on Twitter that favoured LGBT rights.
Other Catholic news sources include Vatican News, NewAdvent.org, EWTN News, Inc., and National Catholic Register.
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Catholic News Service's international coverage
Catholic News Service (CNS) is an American news agency owned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) that reports on the Catholic Church. The agency's domestic (United States) service shut down on 30 December 2022, but CNS continues to operate internationally and provide reports concerning world events and Catholic news. CNS describes itself as the primary source of national and global news for the US Catholic press. It is editorially independent and financially self-sustaining, with its headquarters in Washington, DC.
CNS was established in 1920 as the National Catholic Welfare Council (NCWC) Press Department. In the 1960s, it became the National Catholic News Service, dropping the "National" from its name in 1986 to indicate its intention to provide worldwide coverage. CNS has had a presence in Rome, reporting on the Vatican and related international events.
CNS's international coverage includes reporting on Catholic events and issues worldwide. For example, CNS has covered the participation of Pope Leo XIV in the Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica during the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers. It has also reported on the visit of journalism students to Rome for the EWTN Summer Academy and the National Institute for Deaf Youth of Paris, founded in 1760.
In addition to its coverage of the Vatican and Catholic events in Europe, CNS has also reported on Catholic news from other regions. For instance, it has covered the Thai-Cambodian ceasefire and Catholic bishops' peace appeals in Asia. In the Middle East, CNS has reported on the first digital missionary jubilee and the participation of Middle Eastern influencers. In the Americas, CNS has covered Catholic news such as the clearing of Father Carlos Martins of misdemeanour charges in Illinois and the $75 million donation to Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey, the largest-ever donation to a US-based Catholic hospital.
While CNS provides international coverage, its scope is limited by its focus on Catholic news and events. It does not offer comprehensive international coverage of non-Catholic or secular events and issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholic News Service (CNS) has been described as "one-sided conservatism" when it publishes commentary. It is editorially independent and financially self-sustaining, and its journalists report news using the highest journalistic standards.
Catholic News Service is an American news agency owned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was established in 1920 as the National Catholic Welfare Council Press Department.
The Catholic News Service provides reports on world events and Catholic news. It is considered the primary source of national and global news for the US Catholic press.
