HarperCollins Christian Publishing has launched Harper Catholic, a new imprint focused on serving Catholic readers, authors, booksellers, parishes and institutions.

Kristi McDonald has been appointed associate publisher and will lead the imprint's publishing strategy, acquisitions, author relationships and partnerships.

This launch expands HCCP's Catholic publishing activities beyond Catholic Bible Press into trade books, spiritual classics, theology, devotional works, memoir, cultural engagement and contemporary Catholic voices.

McDonald brings more than 15 years of experience in Catholic publishing, acquisitions, editorial development and author relationship management, including 14 years at Ave Maria Press and most recently at Hallow.

Harper Catholic will publish books spanning spirituality, theology, prayer, devotion, biography, culture and practical Christian living for Catholic readers across generations and stages of spiritual life. The imprint is actively considering proposals from authors and literary agents and plans to announce its first acquisitions and publishing plans in the coming months.