Ken Oliver-Méndez

Ken Oliver-Méndez

Ken Oliver-Méndez is editor-in-chief of the Catholic News Agency, which provides news of general interest to Catholics worldwide through its network of regional correspondents, bureaus, and sister services, including ACI Prensa, ACI Stampa, CNA Deutsch, ACI Africa, ACI Afrique, ACI Mena, and ACI Digital. A native Washingtonian and journalist by profession, Ken is a former White House director of specialty media, news editor at NBC Radio, and evening news producer at Radio Martí, among other positions in journalism and public policy.

Articles by Ken Oliver-Méndez

“I think you’ll see a different side of Mr. Trump,” EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo told CNA. “The visuals will also be original as we will be decked out in our tuxes and tails for the Al Smith dinner.” Credit: EWTN News

Trump interview with EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo to coincide with Al Smith dinner

Oct 16, 2024 / 16:40 pm

The most emblematically Catholic event in U.S. presidential campaigns, the Al Smith dinner, is set to be the backdrop for Donald Trump’s Oct. 17 interview with EWTN's Raymond Arroyo.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter makes a short speech from the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Credit: Davis Turner/Getty Images

Christian faith a hallmark of life of 100-year-old former U.S. president

Oct 1, 2024 / 11:00 am

A clear and consistent profession of Christian faith, both in word and deed, has characterized the life of 100-year-old former U.S. president Jimmy Carter.

null Credit: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Pew survey in U.S. and Latin America gauges views on Church teachings, popularity of Pope Francis 

Sep 26, 2024 / 10:10 am

The Pew Research Center has released the results of a survey of how Catholics in the U.S. and six Latin American countries think the Church should handle issues.

“If we are attacked because of our common baptism, maybe we should also live this common baptism,” said Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem. Credit: “EWTN News Nightly” screenshot

Christian community comes closer together amid attacks in the Holy Land

Sep 19, 2024 / 14:47 pm

Although interreligious dialogue has suffered as a result of the intensification of conflict in the Holy Land, the situation has also led to tighter bonds among Christians. 

During the 2024 Napa Institute Summer Conference, Lila Rose spoke with EWTN News President Montse Alvarado about the task currently before the pro-life movement. Credit: EWTN News/Screenshot

Lila Rose on 2024 task for pro-life movement, podcast debut on EWTN

Aug 10, 2024 / 10:00 am

On the occasion of her podcast joining the EWTN programming lineup, Lila Rose discussed the task currently before America’s pro-life movement.

Rebecca Kiessling holds a sign at the Almost Aborted launch event on June 7, 2024, in Times Square in New York City. Kiessling was conceived in rape, and her mother almost chose abortion, but life-affirming legislation protected her. Credit: Photo courtesy of Students for Life of America

Election 2024: Culture of life, culture of death square off

Aug 8, 2024 / 06:00 am

Two recently launched media campaigns illustrate the epic clash between the culture of life and the culture of death taking place in this year’s U.S. elections.

Richard DeGraff (at left, next to Mother Angelica in early 1981, and at right) played a key role in getting EWTN off the ground. Credit: Photos courtesy of the DeGraff family

Last of founding board members of EWTN, Richard DeGraff, dies at 94 

Aug 5, 2024 / 18:28 pm

Richard DeGraff, a founding board member at EWTN who was instrumental in helping Mother Angelica launch the network, passed away July 31 at age 94. 

Patients' Rights Action Fund Executive Director Matt Vallière belongs to a broad spectrum of people — secular, religious, left, and right — who share the unifying principle that every person is of equal value and is deserving of equal suicide prevention care. Credit: Ken Oliver-Méndez/CNA

Pushback against physician-assisted suicide grows, seen as ‘winnable’ issue

Jul 29, 2024 / 09:20 am

Defenders of the disabled and others who oppose the devaluation of vulnerable lives are expressing optimism about the tide beginning to turn on assisted suicide.

“God was with me,” Trump said on Wednesday while speaking to a group of convention delegates, adding the close call “in many ways changes your attitude, your viewpoint on life. I think, honestly, you appreciate God even more.” Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Spiritual tone at RNC heightened in wake of Trump assassination attempt

Jul 18, 2024 / 09:15 am

Invoking the presence and blessing of the Author of Life is usually limited to just the opening and closing prayers of convention sessions or a phrase in a speech.

Known as “Charlie” — abbreviated to just “Chali” in his most intimate circle — from childhood Carlos Manuel “Charlie” Rodríguez exuded a gift and zeal for communicating the tremendous value and vitality of the Catholic faith. Credit: "The Church in Puerto Rico"/EWTN Screenshot

Charlie Rodríguez, first contemporary beatified layman in the Americas

Jul 13, 2024 / 04:00 am

July 13 marks the feast day of a dynamic, enthusiastic Catholic layman from the Caribbean who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops headquarters in Washington, D.C. Credit: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bishops’ committee faces backlash over call for Cuba to be removed from terrorism sponsor list

Jul 10, 2024 / 15:55 pm

Bishop A. Elias Zaidan on Tuesday urged U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to “remove Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.” 

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Biden administration releases report on its worldwide ‘LGBTQI+’ policy agenda

Jul 8, 2024 / 06:00 am

The U.S. Department of State-led initiative details how various federal agencies are participating in the sweeping American foreign policy effort.

National Catholic Register Editor-in-Chief Shannon Mullen (left) and Catholic News Agency Editor-in-Chief Ken Oliver (right) flank Jeanette DeMelo (center), the executive director of the two EWTN News properties. Rita Sporleder/EWTN News

EWTN News divisions shine at 2024 Catholic Media Association awards

Jun 26, 2024 / 12:05 pm

The 2024 Catholic Media Association awards saw EWTN News properties garner top honors in 13 categories and 33 total awards. 

The first season of the EWTN series “James the Less” received the Best Video award at the 2024 Gabriel Awards presentation on June 20, 2024, in Atlanta. Credit: Ken Oliver-Méndez/CNA

EWTN earns multiple accolades at 2024 Gabriel Awards

Jun 21, 2024 / 14:55 pm

The 58th annual Gabriel Awards saw EWTN, the world’s largest Catholic media organization, win five awards in multiple categories.

Former abortionist turned pro-life advocate Dr. John Bruchalski speaks at a Live Action press conference in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 2024. Credit: EWTN News Nightly/Screenshot

‘The fight for life is far from over:’ Principled pro-life advocates, lawmakers uphold cause

Jun 14, 2024 / 07:00 am

Several leading pro-life advocates and lawmakers gathered in Washington for a Live Action press conference to underscore the violence of chemical abortions.

Pro-abortion activists include the Marea Verde, or Green Wave Movement, a grassroots coalition of protesters who wear green bandanas at events. Credit: EWTN Pro-Life Weekly/Screenshot

Survey: Pro-abortion laws ascendant globally

May 24, 2024 / 12:27 pm

Despite the release of the Vatican document Dignitas Infinita (“Infinite Dignity”), various nations continue moving in the opposite direction on core life issues.

The President of the Communications Commission of the 2024 International Eucharistic Congress, Father Livingston Olivares (left), accompanies EWTN Vice President for Programming and Production Peter Gagnon (center-right), EWTN Vice President for Spanish-language Production, Marketing, and Radio Enrique Duprat (center-left), EWTN Production Director Michael Holmes (far right), and IEC Quito 2024 Communications Coordinator Marcelo Mejía (front, kneeling) at the Monument to the Equator, the exact location of the Equator (from which the country of Ecuador takes its name) on the outskirts of the country's capital city of Quito, site of the 2024 International Eucharistic Congress. Credit: Communications Commission of the 2024 International Eucharistic Congress

EWTN designated official channel for 2024 International Eucharistic Congress

May 21, 2024 / 06:40 am

The 53rd International Eucharistic Congress has chosen EWTN as the official channel for providing live coverage of the Sept. 8–15 event in Quito, Ecuador.

Martyred by the Nazis, Dutch St. Titus Brandsma was a journalist who gave his life so that the truths of the faith would not be silenced. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The prayer of a holy journalist before dying for the freedom of the Catholic press

May 3, 2024 / 13:45 pm

World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every May 3, drawing attention to the importance of free and independent news media.

President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Correspondents dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on April 27, 2024. Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Spanish bishop to Biden: Invoking Jesus Christ in support of abortion is a sacrilege

Apr 29, 2024 / 16:52 pm

U.S. president Joe Biden has come under fire for making the sign of the cross during a rally criticizing measures that restrict abortion.

President Joe Biden leaves after attending Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 27, 2023. Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Pew Research: Biden in trouble with Catholic voters

Apr 22, 2024 / 06:00 am

President Joe Biden, a Catholic, is battling a high unfavorability rating among his fellow Catholics, according to survey data released by the Pew Research Center.