The Deacon's Bench
I’ll let her tell you herself:
Effective the close of business yesterday, I have resigned my position as Managing Editor of the Catholic Channel.
I have loved working with all of Catholic channel writers, who have become real friends and partners-in-prayer, and this gig has been inspiring and instructive to me, a gift and privilege; I’ve had the opportunity to indulge my passion for finding really great writers and then promoting them, and watching them grow. That has been my greatest pleasure while here; it’s given me enormous satisfaction.
But it’s time for me to try my hand at something new; there is only so much blog-wrangling a girl can do, and I think this girl may have hit capacity a little bit ago. I fear the newer bloggers, who have only recently joined us may feel that I have invited them to a party just as I am leaving — “hello, I must be going,” as Groucho sang — but it’s a good party, and they’re going to help keep the energy fresh, around here!
…Today I begin a new adventure as Editor-in-Chief of the US division of Aleteia, which is preparing to launch a new design, and a whole new editorial direction as well. Exciting things are ahead, at that publication, which will be apparent by the innovative coverage planned for the pope’s visit later this month.
Aleteia—which, curiously, has posted this news in its arts and entertainment section—has this:
Aleteia Global Editor-in-Chief, Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry expressed confidence that Scalia’s editorial perspectives will complement the site’s new direction, adding, “In the United States, Elizabeth is the most talented editor in Catholic online media today. She brings editorial talent, connections, and, not least, a great writerly voice. Most importantly, she writes from the heart of the Church and is committed to helping the Gospel reach the peripheries.”
“It is an exciting time to be Catholic,” says Scalia, “and, for me, an exciting time to be joining Aleteia. I look forward to helping it forge a new direction, one both innovative and unpolarizing.”
I probably don’t have to tell you: this is huge. Elizabeth’s impact on Patheos and on the Catholic blogosphere in general has been nothing less than monumental. She essentially created the Patheos Catholic Channel from scratch, using her own considerable charm (and vast wellsprings of good will and credibility) to attract some of the best and brightest bloggers in the Catholic interwebs to this little experiment called Patheos. (She also drew me here, which may or may not be a good thing…). Ultimately, her friendship, sound judgment and sheer force of will—we’ve known each other, incredibly, for nearly 20 years—are what drew me from my perch at Beliefnet to join her here. The rest is history.
Traveling mercies, Elizabeth. God love you. You are going to be sorely missed around here. But you are also about to do something great. Aleteia is richly blessed.
UPDATE: I’ve been alerted by one priest reader that anchors are “weighed,” not “hoisted.” Since most of my experience with anchors is of the television variety, I’ll bow to the expertise of seafaring clergy. 🙂 But I still like “hoist” as a verb. It’s one I don’t use nearly often enough. Meantime, I’ll hoist a glass of Guiness to salute my friend Elizabeth as she sets sail on this new adventure!
Photo via Pixabay
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In