For Immediate Release: January 13, 2023

Bishop Barry C. Knestout Appoints New Editor for The Catholic Virginian

First Female Leads Diocesan Publication in 90 Year History  

RICHMOND, Va. – Bishop Barry C. Knestout announces the appointment of Lily Nguyen Dunkle as the fifth editor of The Catholic Virginian. After a thorough search, Nguyen Dunkle succeeds Brian Olszewski who retired after more than four decades of service in Catholic communications, including the last five years working for the Diocese of Richmond.

Lily Nguyen Dunkle

Nguyen Dunkle brings more than 20 years of media expertise as a communications professional. Starting as a journalist in local broadcast news, she moved to management roles in the media industry, including senior news producer and executive producer.

“I’m excited to share stories that showcase the everyday beauty and joy in our Catholic faith,” said Nguyen Dunkle. “The Catholic faith is alive in our parishes, homes and communities. I hope to share stories that inspire all of us to live in his light.”

Upon her appointment, Nguyen Dunkle becomes the first Vietnamese American female editor in the publication’s history. She is responsible for the overall editorial content, strategy and operations of the print newspaper and the paper’s online presence. Nguyen, who is married with eight children, earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the College of William and Mary.

The Catholic Virginian, established as a diocesan paper in 1931, is an integral part of the Office of Communication’s outreach as it reaches all Catholic households registered in the diocese. The print edition is a biweekly paper that chronicles the work of the Church with a blend of local, national and international news and features. Its mission is to inform, inspire and instruct the Catholic faith community while providing nourishment for spiritual life through select columns.

Brian Olszewski

Olszewski, who announced his retirement in May 2022, was appointed in 2017 as editor of The Catholic Virginian by Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo. During his tenure, he managed the newspaper’s coverage through the appointment and installation of Bishop Knestout and the celebration of the Bicentennial Year for the diocese. He was instrumental in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining The Catholic Virginian as a physical presence in the homes of Catholics throughout the diocese and sharing the stories of local parishes and organizations. He introduced the “What We’ve Heard” feature and added Catholic word searches and crossword puzzles to the paper’s content.

The change is effective Jan. 10, 2023.

###