WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeSiteNews) – As part of the reorganization of its communication department, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is closing the domestic offices of Catholic News Service (CNS).
In an official statement, Catholic News Service announced the end of its domestic operations, which includes the closure of its Washington and New York offices.
James Rogers, the chief communications officer of the USCCB, revealed that the Washington office will shut down by the end of the year. Catholic News Service has operated since 1920.
The USCCB reorganization also includes staff reductions in public affairs, creative services and marketing, and episcopal resources, with a total of 21 Catholic News Service employees being laid off.
Furthermore, USCCB Publishing will end its publishing operations at the end of 2022. The company is responsible for the printing of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the U.S. Adult Catechism, and other books.
“Over the next few months,” a statement released by the bishops’ public affairs office read, “the USCCB Department of Communications will undertake a significant realignment to better utilize the resources entrusted to the Conference by the faithful in a manner that fits the communications environment today.”
“Sadly, this will impact a number of staff,” it continued, adding that “job transitions can be difficult, and as this is a personnel matter, further detail will not be discussed at this time.”
The statement explained that, “These changes, although painful, will allow the remaining functions — including the Catholic News Service Rome Bureau and the Office of Public Affairs — a more sustainable foundation upon which to do their work.” Accordingly, the Catholic News Service Rome Bureau will remain intact and, beginning in January 1, 2023, will make coverage available for free.
Catholic News Service has been embroiled in controversy in recent years. In 2016, the outlet’s editor-in-chief, Tony Spence, was removed after denouncing religious freedom laws and offering public support for the LGBT movement.
CNS takes a left-wing position on various social issues, including immigration, has strongly pushed the abortion-tainted COVID-19 shots, and has faced criticism for downplaying the role of homosexuality in the clerical sex abuse crisis while condemning conservative Catholic groups like Church Militant.