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
Sisters at abuse summit hope standard is set for more women at Vatican meetings
World's Catholic superiors general apologize to abuse victims before Vatican summit
Francis admits Vatican must do more to prevent abuse of Catholic sisters
Women survivors speak of church authority structure facilitating their abuse
International sisters' group will continue to press for synod vote, VP says
World's superiors general to ask for greater women's voice at synod
Sister to synod bishops: young people need male and female mentors
Study: Most US major superiors think women deacons 'theoretically possible'
Catholic sisters serve 'where no one else will dare go,' UISG leader says
Former president of Ireland tells pope to develop 'credible strategy' for women's inclusion
