Los Angeles, Calif., Jun 3, 2014 / 16:32 pm

The nation's largest archdiocese, Los Angeles, has chosen Catholic News Agency to provide U.S. and global news for its archdiocesan publications, "Vida Nueva" and "The Tidings."

"For an archdiocese as large as Los Angeles, we rely very heavily on a wire service that can provide for us reporting on national and international events," editor-in-chief, J.D. Long-García told CNA.

"We continue to choose Catholic News Agency because they're exceptional in providing that for us."

Long-García explained that it's important for his readers to have access to news that allows them to be "informed Catholics" who are aware of global happenings.

"Pope Francis talked about (how) Catholic media facilitates culture of encounter," he noted. Through CNA, "we have a way to help our readers enter into that culture so that they can encounter not just their brothers and sisters here in Los Angeles, but their brothers and sisters around the world."

Through CNA's free Access for Editors service, these archdiocesan publications have access to news concerning the Universal Church from around the world in both English and Spanish.

"The Los Angeles archdiocese serves nearly five million Catholics – we're honored to provide news coverage for their invaluable publications," said Marianne Medlin, editor-in-chief of CNA.

"This new partnership will enable us to further our mission of providing timely and accessible Catholic news for the faithful worldwide."

Recently, the agency has expanded to include Spanish and English reporting through its editors' service for publications with bilingual readerships. It includes both translated content from English and original Spanish language reporting from CNA's sister agency ACI Prensa, headquartered in Lima, Peru.

"We've got 'Vida Nueva,' which is monthly, but sometimes the Spanish language reporting isn't as easy to get and especially not on the constant basis that it's provided by ACI Prensa," Long-García said.

The Access for Editors service provides full use of CNA's photo library which features pictures from bureaus around the globe, including Rome, Denver, and throughout South America. Additionally, users have access to Getty Images and ANSA Foto, Italy's premier photo journalism agency, at discounted prices available only to the Catholic press.

"The photography that we've been able to have access through those services has been great," he said.

As an editor-in-chief of a major archdiocesan newspaper, Long-García said he appreciates the prompt customer support he receives from using CNA.

"I've received first class customer service," he said. "I feel like CNA is a part of my staff and understands the deadline pressures faced by diocesan newspapers."

CNA's Access for Editors is available to any diocesan newspaper or publication that is a member of the Catholic Press Association free of charge.

As the largest diocese in the United States, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles serves around five million Catholics and is home to 287 parishes. Founded in 1895, "The Tidings" has a circulation of 80,000 and reaches an estimated 230,000 readers with its website each week.