America is a national weekly magazine published by the American Jesuits that contains news and opinion about the Roman Catholic Church and how its positions relate to American politics and cultural life. The publication was founded by 1909 by a Jesuit monastery, and the lay organization still maintains nad publishes the magazine. It has a circulation of 45,000 readers. It describes itself as: "America, the weekly Catholic magazine of news, opinion, book reviews and articles for the thinking Catholic and those who want to know what the Catholic people are thinking." The magazine provides editorials and news on the church, moral and social issues, along with book and movie reviews. The former editor of the magazine, Thomas J. Reese, called America the "CatholicPBS" ^*.

Because of its Jesuit origins, "America" is usually seen to present moderate to liberal view on Catholicism, which has led to conflict with the Catholic Church. America has carried a number of articles and opinion pieces which concern matters which are at issue in the contemporary Catholic Church, including homosexuality, priestly celibacy, AIDS and the roles of women in the Church. It has been under some scrutiny by the Vatican and its editor, Rev. Thomas J. Reese, was replaced in Spring, 2005, probably under prodding by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Catholic administrative office which monitors and enforces adherance to Catholic dogma.

External links

• America Magazine online (Subscription required for access to full text)
• New York Times article, May 7, 2005, "Vatican Is Said to Force Jesuit Off Magazine"
• Columbian Journalism Review article, November/December 2005 Issue, Articles of Faith: Watchdog or church mouse? The identity crisis in the Catholic Press. By Kiera Butler

Roman Catholic newspapers and magazines | United States magazines