For first time since 1880, Kansas City Catholic diocese won’t have its own newspaper
The Catholic Key, the newspaper that for half a century covered the 27 counties in northern and western Missouri that comprise the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese, has ceased operations.
The diocese — which published the biweekly newspaper — announced the move on its website last week, saying it was part of a restructuring of the communications department.
“Our Mutually Shared Vision, the diocesan pastoral plan, continually challenges us to keep evaluating the best means and practices in reaching today’s world for sharing the Gospel and serving the Church’s mission,” the diocese said. “Due to many factors identified over the past several years and deliberations initiated prior to the pandemic, as well as these recent months, a crossroads was reached.”
A few other dioceses and regional Catholic news press have taken similar actions, it said.
“All diocesan digital communication will continue,” the diocese said, “and new print media will be explored in the future to communicate the local Church’s mission and message as the entire Communications Department is being re-envisioned.”
The diocese said it has had a paper since 1880, and The Catholic Key has been in existence since 1968.
Diocesan spokeswoman Ashlie Hand said in an email to The Star that print media would continue to play an important role in how the diocese communicates, “and we are evaluating options for a new publication now.”
In the meantime, Hand said, other options to access information from the diocese include the website, at KCSJCatholic.org; social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@DioceseKCSJ); parish bulletins; email and Catholic radio.
Across the state line, The Leaven, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, continues publication. It typically comes out weekly during the school year and bimonthly in the summer.
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph also announced that it has hired Hand as its new director of communications. She has filled the position left vacant when Jack Smith died in December after a short illness.
Hand previously spent 21 years at the Kansas City Area Development Council, where her job included promoting the Kansas City region as a business and lifestyle destination.
“As a life-long Catholic, it is truly an honor to have the opportunity to apply my two decades of communications experience and community development in the KC region to support the important work of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph,” Hand said. “I step into this role with a vocational perspective and commitment to the vision set forth by Bishop Johnston in service to all who are impacted by the Catholic Church.”
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 2:31 PM.
