The National Catholic Reporter Newspaper Appoints Gay Man as Executive Editor

Michael O’Loughlin

New Ways Ministry praises and congratulates Michael O’Loughlin and The National Catholic Reporter upon the announcement that O’Loughlin has been named the new Executive Editor.

Why the double praise and congratulations? First, because O’Loughlin is a consummate Catholic journalist: fair, balanced, smart, curious, and faith-filled.  In his fifteen years of writing for Catholic publications, he has time and again shown that he goes where the facts lead, wherever they lead.  He is an excellent person for this position.  His leadership at one of the most important Catholic publications in the U.S. will be a gift to journalism and to the church.

But we are also praising and congratulating The National Catholic Reporter, not just for making such a wise selection, but because they become the first U.S. Catholic publication to have an openly gay person at the highest level of leadership.

O’Loughlin, who most recently has been serving as the Executive Director of Outreach, the Catholic LGBTQ+ online resource founded by Fr. James Martin, SJ, and sponsored by America Media, a Jesuit ministry, came out quietly and publicly while working as the national editor of America magazine.  He also acknowledged his identity in his 2021 book, Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear, which chronicled the story of supportive Catholic involvement during the early days of the AIDS pandemic.

The National Catholic Reporter was an early Catholic voice supporting LGBTQ+ people and Catholic LGBTQ+ organizations, including New Ways Ministry.  In 2008, they became the first mainstream Catholic publication to hire an openly lesbian columnist, Jamie Manson.  In 2020, they hired Christopher White, an openly gay man as national correspondent, and later appointed him Vatican correspondent. Earlier this year, the newspaper hired Maxwell Kuzma, an openly transgender Catholic man as a columnist, very likely the first openly transgender person writing regularly for the Catholic press.

And in 2015, they named Greg Bourke and Michael De Leon, two of the plaintiffs in the Obergefell case in which the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-gender marriage, as persons of the year.  In 2023, they named New Ways Ministry’s Sister Jeannine Gramick as person of the year, honoring her 50+ years of LGBTQ+ ministry.

In announcing O’Loughlin’s appointment, Joe Ferullo, CEO/Publisher of the National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company said: “At this pivotal moment for Catholics around the world and here at home, Mike’s deep knowledge of the church, commitment to independent reporting, and proven leadership make him the perfect person to keep NCR moving forward. We welcome his perspective and energy as we continue to serve Catholic and wider audiences with rigorous, compassionate coverage.”

O’Loughlin’s reaction to his appointment echoed his commitment to professional journalism: “I am honored to join National Catholic Reporter and to work with its dedicated team of talented journalists. NCR’s commitment to independent reporting, sharp analysis and thought-provoking commentary remains crucial during this unsettled time and I’m excited to join the team as we help bring clarity and understanding to the people, events and circumstances shaping the world and the church.”

New Ways Ministry is excited at this appointment, not just for its historic significance for both the church and the LGBTQ+ community, but because it signals that the NCR will continue its commitment to journalism which has both a head and a heart, which sees the world through Catholic values, and which courageously challenges both secular world and the church to live up to their best ideals and values.

—Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, October 21, 2025