LifeSiteNews, a non-profit Internet news service dedicated to issues of life, family, and many related issues, announced on Tuesday July 8th that John-Henry Westen, co-founder, is no longer CEO and Editor-In-Chief. In a formal announcement published on their website, they said:
“LifeSiteNews announces that John-Henry Westen is no longer CEO and Editor-in-Chief following a recent board vote. He is now on a well-earned sabbatical, spending valuable time with his family. We acknowledge the significant online speculation surrounding this decision but wish to clarify that much of it is inaccurate. The board’s decision was made after careful consideration, extensive prayer, and a commitment to best serve our donors, readers, and employees, guided by numerous factors aligned with our mission.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to John-Henry for his many years of dedicated service to LifeSiteNews and the pro-life cause. We wish him well during his sabbatical and ask for continued prayers for our organization as we move forward.”
While the organization initially affirmed that Mr. Westen is taking a “well-earned sabbatical”, John Henry posted a video of himself on his X account expressing his gratitude for the support and prayers he has received, and announcing the startup of a new Catholic news service.
“Thank you to all those who have posted your your incredible prayers and support. As I begin building a new Catholic media mission, I’d love your help in choosing a new name: What would you name a news apostolate that covers the Church and the world from a Catholic perspective?”
Thank you to all those who have posted your your incredible prayers and support.
As I begin building a new Catholic media mission, I’d love your help in choosing a new name:
What would you name a news apostolate that covers the Church and the world from a Catholic perspective? pic.twitter.com/xciRd9O9g3— John-Henry Westen (@JhWesten) July 9, 2025
Many Catholics leaders and influencers on X have expressed their consternation after hearing LifeSiteNews’ decision on John Henry.
Bishop emeritus, Joseph Strickland, in support of Westen wrote: “In recent days, there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding the departure of John-Henry Westen from his leadership role at LifeSiteNews. Some have suggested—or outright claimed—that he was removed because he spoke the truth about Pope Leo XIV or about the troubling trends within the Church. Let me state this clearly: that is not true.”
Then he added:
John-Henry Westen has been, and remains, a courageous and faithful witness to the truth of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church. He has never shied away from proclaiming the hard truths—about abortion, about doctrinal confusion, about the crisis in the Church. And I know from personal experience: when I was removed from my diocese, John-Henry and the LifeSiteNews team were the first to reach out to me, to listen, to share my story, and to stand with me when many others remained silent.”
Statement from Bishop Joseph E. Strickland
On John-Henry Westen and the Defense of Truth
In recent days, there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding the departure of John-Henry Westen from his leadership role at LifeSiteNews. Some have suggested—or outright… pic.twitter.com/VgYnN709PV
— Bishop J. Strickland (@BishStrickland) July 9, 2025
Almost at the same time when John Henry came publicly on his X account on Wednesday July 9th, Steve Jalsevac, LifeSiteNews Co-Founder, published a new message on their website saying that while legal constraints prevent LifeSiteNews from delving into extensive detail, they can share that “the decision was influenced by several factors.”
“In light of the recent announcement regarding John-Henry Westen’s departure as CEO and Editor-in-Chief, I wish to address the speculation surrounding this decision and provide clarity on behalf of LifeSiteNews. The board’s decision was made with careful deliberation, much prayer, and a steadfast commitment to our mission of promoting truth, life, and family values. We acknowledge the significant online speculation, much of which has been inaccurate, and we are very grateful to Bishop Joseph Strickland for his public statement calling out these misconceptions.”
It continues:
“While legal constraints prevent us from delving into extensive detail, I can share that the decision was influenced by several factors, including a 72% drop in readership from 2021 to 2024 during John-Henry’s tenure as CEO, a decline in monthly and new donors, and other business challenges. Additionally, an internal survey revealed significant concerns regarding staff sentiment and safety scores, which further informed the board’s considerations.
We remain deeply grateful to John-Henry for his decades of service and his unwavering dedication to the pro-life cause. LifeSiteNews reaffirms its commitment to its mission of reporting on the four pillars of Life, Faith, Family, and Freedom. As we move forward, I, as one of the co-founders and now co-CEO of LifeSiteNews, will continue to guide the organization. We are dedicated to strengthening our mission and serving you, our readers, with uncensored reporting. We ask for your continued prayers and support during this transition.”
John Henry Westen has not publicly responded to LifeSiteNews’ recent message, however, he has asked his supporters to continue praying for him and his new mission.
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