NCR Connections

Executive editor Heidi Schlumpf aims to help readers understand how recent news stories fit together. NCR Connections will provide guideposts and markers to help lead readers through key issues and stories.

The “U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (parody)” account on Twitter (NCR screenshot)

Founder of bishops' parody Twitter account comes clean

by Heidi Schlumpf

May 7, 2021

NCR Connections: Over the months, what started as a fluke has grown to be a community of Catholics who wish bishops did things like ask their opinions or apologize when they make a mistake — like they do @usccbp.

Do your part for the common good: Get vaccinated

by Heidi Schlumpf

Apr 26, 2021

NCR Connections: During a deadly pandemic, public health must be prioritized. The health of the population as a whole is akin to the idea of the common good, something Catholics should be familiar with.

Two women walking down church aisle with long handled collection baskets

Will Catholics come back post-pandemic?

by Heidi Schlumpf

Apr 8, 2021

NCR Connections: As I talk to friends, family and colleagues about what parish life will look like after coronavirus, a consensus is emerging that "they're not coming back" — or at least not in the numbers before the pandemic.

silhouette of person with long hair and fist raised

Sexism: It's still a thing, unfortunately

by Heidi Schlumpf

Mar 26, 2021

NCR Connections: Perhaps you heard about the Baptist preacher in Missouri who used his Sunday sermon to remind wives of the need to lose weight and "not let themselves go."

Columns ›

Founder of bishops' parody Twitter account comes clean

Do your part for the common good: Get vaccinated

Will Catholics come back post-pandemic?

Sexism: It's still a thing, unfortunately

What we've lost in a pandemic year

One year later: A thank you and an invitation

NCR's Joshua McElwee is Iraq-bound with Pope Francis

Let's give up culture war infighting for Lent

Liberal Catholicism: We've been here all along

How Catholic media should cover Biden

2020: A year like no other

The media is not the church's enemy

Setting the record straight on NCR and McCarrick coverage

A lifelong example of the kind of journalist we need

Asking for a friend: Can a Catholic vote for Biden?

Catholic Church must reject its anti-Black misogyny

The church needs 'notorious' women willing to dissent, too

Be not afraid: Is safety a Christian virtue?

First, lasts and heeding the coronavirus realities

A fix for your late-arriving NCR — and a welcome to a new staffer

Disagreeing without being disagreeable

AOC is the future of the Catholic Church

The problems with papal politicking

Paying the price for anti-racism work

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