Catholic News Service wins 30 awards at Catholic Media Conference

by CNS · July 12, 2022

Catholic News Service staff members with are applauded during the , July 7, 2022, awards ceremony at the Catholic Media Conference in Portland, Ore. Pictured are reporter Carol Zimmermann, centre; Edmond Brosnan, special projects manager, John Mulderig, assistant director of media reviews; and Chaz Muth, multimedia editor. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

By CNS – Catholic News Service won 30 awards from the Catholic Media Association, which were announced July 7, the last day of the 2022 Catholic Media Conference in Portland.

The four-day conference in Portland was the first in-person conference for the association in three years. It was the last CMC for most of the staff.

On May 4, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced to staff the news service’s Washington and New York offices would close as part of a restructuring of the USCCB communications department.

The New York offices will close on July 29 and the Washington offices on Dec. 31. The CNS Rome bureau will remain open.

CNS took home ten first-place awards:

— Chaz Muth: Best Multimedia Package, Pro-Life Activities for “Second Catholic president causes some to celebrate, gives others anxiety.” https://catholicreview.org/second-catholic-president-causes-some-to-celebrate-gives-others-anxiety.

— Chaz Muth and Carol Zimmermann: Best Multimedia Package, Depiction of Religious Life for “Altar bread-baking sister hopes Communion discussion prompts understanding.” https://www.catholicnews.com/altar-bread-baking-sister-hopes-communion-discussion-prompts-understanding.

— Chaz Muth and Carol Zimmermann: Best Podcast, Topical News for “Communion.” https://catholic-news-service-podcast.libsyn.com/website.

— Rhina Guidos: Best News Writing on National or International Event, One-Shot — International Event for “Justice remains elusive to survivors of Salvador’s Sumpul River massacre.” https://www.catholicnews.com/justice-remains-elusive-to-survivors-of-salvadors-sumpul-river-massacre.

— Paul Haring: Best Photograph, Immigration/Migration for “Watching behind bars.”

— Paul Haring: Best Photograph, National/International Event for “Religion in the Rubble.”

— Hosffman Ospino: Best Regular Column, General Commentary for “Caminando juntos/Journeying Together.”

— Robert Duncan: Best Video, Pro-Life Activities for “Repentance on death row?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQwt0qk2jvE.

— Gregory A. Shemitz: Best Photograph, Holy Days/Liturgical Season for “Carrying Christ’s Cross.”

— Gregory A. Shemitz: Best Photograph, Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate for “Holy Smoke.”

CNS took home ten second-place awards:

— Paul Haring: Won first-runner up for “Photographer of the Year.”

— Robert Duncan: Best Multimedia Package for Feature for “Vatican’s vanishing artisans: Traditional workshops struggle amid COVID-19.” https://www.catholicnews.com/vaticans-vanishing-artisans-traditional-workshops-struggle-amid-covid-19.

— Chaz Muth and Carol Zimmermann: Best Multimedia Package Series for “Communion: Politically charged catechetical crisis. Part 1: https://www.catholicnews.com/bishops-to-continue-discussion-of-catholics-and-eucharist-in-fall-meeting; Part 2: https://www.catholicnews.com/altar-bread-baking-sister-hopes-communion-discussion-prompts-understanding; Part 3: https://www.catholicnews.com/catholics-who-dont-receive-communion-shouldnt-be-shamed-scholars-say; Part 4: https://www.catholicnews.com/eucharistic-revival-could-move-needle-on-understanding-of-real-presence; Part 6: https://www.catholicnews.com/update-communion-statement-aims-to-retrieve-and-revive-understanding.

— Junno Arocho Esteves, Carol Glatz, Cindy Wooden: Best regular column Culture, Arts, Leisure for “Vatican Letter.” https://www.catholicnews.com/son-of-man-son-of-krypton-dc-trilogy-takes-cues-from-christs-passion; https://www.catholicnews.com/pope-joan-old-rituals-wild-imaginations-led-to-legend-archivist-says; https://www.catholicnews.com/amoris-laetitia-family-portraits-sometimes-messy-but-grace-filled.

— Shannen Dee Williams: Best Regular Column, General Commentary for “The Griot’s Cross.”

— David Agren: Best Coverage, Immigration for “The road through Mexico.” https://www.catholicnews.com/advocates-say-central-american-migrants-choose-hope-over-hunger-violence; https://www.catholicnews.com/smugglers-extortion-and-broken-dreams-migrants-road-to-us-has-perils; https://www.catholicnews.com/migrants-at-the-border-smugglers-spread-rumors-push-factors-continue.

— Cindy Wooden, Paul Haring, Robert Duncan: Best Coverage, Papal Trips for “Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq.” https://www.catholicnews.com/honoring-suffering-building-bridges%3A-papal-trip-to-iraq-has-dual-focus; https://www.catholicnews.com/pope%3A-honor-martyrs-by-remaining-faithful-working-for-a-better-iraq; https://www.catholicnews.com/faith-amid-the-ruins-pope-calls-iraqis-to-affirm-kinship-under-one-god.

— Doreen Abi Raad: Best News Writing, International Event Series for “Lebanon Crisis.” https://www.catholicnews.com/nearly-a-year-after-beirut-blast-we-are-bleeding-help-is-needed; https://www.catholicnews.com/today-is-a-day-of-strength-mass-commemorates-beirut-blast-victims; https://www.catholicnews.com/lebanons-catholic-schools-face-crisis-with-empty-pockets-look-for-help; https://www.catholicnews.com/lebanons-new-poor-seek-help-when-they-used-to-be-the-ones-to-donate.

— Chaz Muth: Best Photograph, Scenic, Still-life or Weather for “Still Dawn California.”

— Gregory A. Shemitz: Best Photograph, Spot News for “First Responder Funeral.”

CNS took home nine third-place awards:

— Chaz Muth: Won second-runner up for “Multimedia Journalist of the Year.”

— Chaz Muth: Best Video, Depiction of Religious Life for “COVID-19 dampens hospital pastoral care.” https://youtu.be/73jXDMfdvqM.

— Chaz Muth: Best Video, Social Justice Issues for “Hospital chaplains in a pandemic.” https://youtu.be/IhDSIBPoMGY.

— Robert Duncan: Best Video, The Clergy for “Bluegrass and the rosary.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU0yTkbk67I.

— Chaz Muth: Best Video, Hot Topic — The COVID-19 Pandemic for “Hybrid school boosts Catholic values.” https://youtu.be/_4qT-gOT060.

— Junno Arocho Esteves: Best News Writing Series, International Event for “Vatican trial.” https://www.catholicnews.com/vatican-indicts-cardinal-becciu-former-officials-involved-in-london-deal; https://www.catholicnews.com/at-embezzlement-trial-lawyers-argue-against-vatican-jurisdiction; https://www.catholicnews.com/bad-blood-old-rivalry-revives-at-vatican-property-trial.

— Chaz Muth: Best Photograph, Catholic Education for “Catholic Classroom on the Phone.”

— Tyler Orsburn: Best Photograph, National/International Event for “Supreme Debate.”

— Gregory A. Shemitz — Best Photograph-Scenic, Still-life or Weather for “Holy Water.”

CNS took home seven honourable mention awards:

— Chaz Muth and Tom Ackerman: Best Video, Explainer for “The passion of Slavic Easter eggs.” https://youtu.be/R-u3HyG8Opc.

— Carol Zimmermann and Chaz Muth: Best Multimedia Package, Hot Topic — The COVID-19 Pandemic for “Several Catholic colleges will require COVID-19 vaccinations in fall.” https://thecentralminnesotacatholic.org/several-catholic-colleges-will-require-covid-19-vaccinations-in-fall.

— Carol Zimmermann and Katie Rutter: Best Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate for “Pandemic Vocations.” https://www.catholicnews.com/pandemic-vocations%3A-call-is-the-same-but-many-are-answering-on-zoom; https://www.catholicnews.com/vocation-directors-say-online-ministry-fills-gap-but-isnt-the-same.

— Chaz Muth and Carol Zimmermann: Best Multimedia Package for News for “Eucharistic revival could ‘move needle’ on understanding of Real Presence. https://www.catholicnews.com/eucharistic-revival-could-move-needle-on-understanding-of-real-presence.

— Bob Roller: Best Photograph, Portrait for “Home for the Homeless.”

— Gregory A. Shemitz: Best Photograph, Spot News for “Wall of Sorrow.”

— Gregory A. Shemitz: Best Photograph, Sacramental. “Welcome to the Faith.”