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

Social Service Sr. Simone Campbell (CNS/Tyler Orsburn); Fr. Bryan Massingale (GSR photo/Dan Stockman)

The Francis Effect podcast: Discussing the election with Simone Campbell and Bryan Massingale

In this episode of "The Francis Effect," Heidi, Dan and David welcome their guests, Fr. Bryan Massingale and Social Service Sr. Simone Campbell, to look at the 2024 election and consider: Where do we go from here?

Elizabeth Johnson’s view of creation as a circle of kinship, rather than a hierarchy of being, means that yes, your dog or cat will go to heaven. She is pictured here with her cat Orion, named because "she is a constellation of beauty," Johnson says. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Johnson)

Saving the Earth requires new images of God, says feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson

In a new book of meditations on God and the Earth, feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson explores an image of God as lover of creation and concludes that, yes, you will see your pet in heaven. 

The URL for "He Gets Us" is seen on a display in Las Vegas Feb. 8, 2024, ahead of Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers Feb. 11. (OSV News/He Gets Us)

The Francis Effect podcast: Super Bowl ads; Sr. Joyce Rupp talks Lent

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David talk about the "He Gets Us" and "Hallow" Super Bowl ads; cardinals' meeting with women; and recent discussion on priestly celibacy. Heidi also discusses Lent with Sr. Joyce Rupp.

A sign for St. Mary's College is seen in Notre Dame, Indiana. (Flickr/Ken Lund)

Catholic women's college opens to trans students, drawing bishop's rebuke

A decision by St. Mary's College in Indiana to open enrollment to some transgender applicants has resulted in a reprimand by Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop Kevin Rhoades and divided students and alumnae.

UISG forum: Sisters want to change the world, not just the church

UISG's two-day Rome conference is the culmination of the three-year project highlighting the need for collaboration on global advocacy. 

Three women sit on a couch as they talk to group and a camera records them.

Moments of frustration but also hope: Sisters believe synod will bring slow change

Three Catholic sisters said they are hopeful that the church's synodal process might bring increased leadership roles for women. They also stressed that they already have significant influence as women religious.

 

Sr. Patricia Crowley of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, a social justice advocate, and a leader in the church and community, died Oct. 14. (Courtesy of Benedictine Sisters of Chicago)

Sr. Patricia Crowley, prominent Chicago sister who made a mark on the church and community, dies

Benedictine Sr. Patricia Crowley came from a famous Catholic family, and made her own mark as a Benedictine sister, social justice advocate, and leader in the church and community. Crowley died Oct. 14. She was 84.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colorado, pounds the gavel to open the session to discuss rules ahead a vote on two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington Dec. 18. (CNS/House TV via Reuters)

Network lobby announces support for impeachment

The statement from Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice called impeachment "a faithful, patriotic way forward" and "a moral action to reclaim our national integrity."

Sr. Simone Campbell has advice for the 'religious left'

Sr. Joan Chittister's 2004 quote on 'pro-life' versus 'pro-birth' goes viral

Faith groups oppose massive increase in border spending

Petition urges women's votes at synod, but Dutch bishop disagrees

Catholics on Call helps young adults learn, discern about ministries

Sr. Simone Campbell says spiritual sustenance is necessary to change injustices

Feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson retires from teaching, but not from theology

Catholic groups use 'social innovation' to help refugees

DePaul conference on women in global church calls for new leadership models

Women's March inspires women to amplify their political voices post-inauguration

Sr. Margaret Farley at theological meeting: 'We have not gone far enough'