NCR awards from the Catholic Press Association 2018

Following is the list of awards won by NCR staff and contributors in the annual Catholic Press Association media awards contest. The awards are for material published online and in print in 2017. The list includes the name of the category, the winner and the material that is being honored, and the judges' comments. (Note: In some cases, headlines reflect the print version of the article and may not match the linked article.)

The complete list of winners is available on the CPA website.

First Place Awards

AD28: BEST NEWSPAPER WEBSITE — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "NCRonline.org" by National Catholic Reporter staff and contributors

The National Catholic Reporter has highly impressive content that includes investigative and enterprise reporting that is relevant for a diverse Catholic audience. This site delivers on its mission.

AD08b: BEST BLOG: Publication Blog — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "NCR Today" by NCR staff and contributors

They covered a wide variety of topics in their regularly scheduled blog posts throughout the 2017 year. Their morning briefings gave readers something consistent to rely on and read, and their topic-specific articles were captivating and well thought out. They take an interesting and modern approach to religion and the role of Catholicism in terms of current events, social justice, and politics. From the "Campus Notebook" segments that focus on issues on college campuses, to the pieces on gun control and safety, to articles connecting the spirit of Jesus to current issues of poverty and suffering.

AD08c: BEST BLOG: By Layperson — First Place

 National Catholic Reporter, "Young Voices" by Nicole Sotelo, Jocelyn A. Sideco, Julia Walsh, Allison Walter, Mike Jordan Laskey, Brian Harper, Christian Mocek, Jennifer Mertens, Clare Coffey, Mark Piper, Susan Rose Francois, Christin Tomy, Jennifer Wilson, Tracy Kemme, Tracey Horan, Colleen Gibson

I really liked this blog and its focus on issues facing America's youth. They did a good job incorporating lessons and values of Christianity into "cool" and relatable topics (e.g. Wonder Woman). Additionally, the writing style was professional and well developed. Concerns over lingering racism, women's rights issues, and drug addiction made for a powerful and insightful blog.

AD09a: BEST ONLINE CONTENT NOT PUBLISHED IN PRINT: Written Content — First Place

An entry consists of up to five articles published online within a 60-day period that by themselves demonstrate sound writing and storytelling, and in the aggregate suggests a publication's belief in the immediacy and value of reaching an online audience.

Excellent reporting on important issues. Courageous, bold story-telling. By far some of the best work I've read since I started judging for this contest years ago.

• In coal country, Catholics testify in favor of Clean Power Plan, by Brian Roewe
• Church teaching is clear: 'Fake news,' other untruths are wrong, dangerous, by Heidi Schlumpf
• Does God lead us to sin? New French 'Our Father' says no , by Tom Heneghan
• Minnesota parish rallies around gay musicians ousted by new priest, by Brian Roewe
• Drawing lessons from the life of Cardinal Bernard Law, by NCR staff

AD35: BEST PODCAST — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "NCR In Conversation" by Brittany Wilmes, Stephanie Yeagle, Toni-Ann Ortiz, George Goss

This podcast series covers an array of timely and pertinent issues that directly affect the Catholic faith and vice versa. It is high in quality and in impact.

N03b: BEST NEWS WRITING ON A NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL EVENT: National Event, National Newspaper or Wire Service — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Meeting rallies to 'stand with those whose backs are against the wall'; San Diego bishop urges crowd to become disrupters and rebuilders" by Brian Roewe

With an impressive list of sources, these well-written and crafted articles tell a powerful story.

N03d: BEST NEWS WRITING ON A NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL EVENT: International Event, National Newspaper or Wire Service — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Coverage of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors" by Joshua J. McElwee. Articles submitted: 

• "Lone survivor on Vatican abuse commission resigns in frustration"
• "O'Malley pledges pope still committed to rooting out clergy sex abuse"
• "Francis speaks out about Marie Collins' resignation"
• "Papal abuse commission looks at restructuring"
• "Francis: Church waiting too long to respond to sex abuse"
• "Papal abuse commission appears to go inactive"

Bold in approach, the coverage of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is told with precision. The addition of the first person story of the resignation of Marie Collins and Pope Francis' response rounds out this story which must see the light of day.

N04b: BEST INVESTIGATIVE/ANALYSIS NEWS WRITING: Investigative News Writing, National Newspaper or Wire Service — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Coverage of money and the Catholic church" by Tom Roberts. Articles submitted:

• "The Knights' reach"
• "'Find common cause,' spokesman advises NCR"
• "Koch, Turkson speak at Catholic University's 'Good Profit' conference"
• "Money and church intertwined"

The research and investigation for this story appears to be exhaustive. Reporter dug through a vast amount of federal tax forms in conducting research for the story and followed that up with detailed interviews in support of the research. Impressively weaved all of the research into a series a stories that explain in interesting detail how great sums of money are being disbursed by powerful people and organizations with ties to Catholicism

N04d: BEST INVESTIGATIVE/ANALYSIS NEWS WRITING: Best Analysis/Background/Round-Up News Writing: The Gerard E. Sherry Award for National Newspaper or Wire Service — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Sexual violence victims break the silence" by Heidi Schlumpf

This analysis of the Church's silence on the #metoo movement allows victims of sexual violence to speak for themselves, provides statistics on how many people are affected, and interviews theologians who explain how the Church can do better.

N07e: BEST EDITORIAL ON A NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL ISSUE: National Newspaper — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Now is the time for action on guns" by National Catholic Reporter editors

Bravo for pointed and vivid language that takes on the issue of guns and politics. The Bishop's story that leads the editorial has a power and immediacy that suggests NOW, as the rest of the editorial does too. 

N08b: BEST EDITORIAL PAGE OR EDITORIAL SECTION: National Newspaper — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Opinion & Arts" by National Catholic Reporter staff and contributors (Note: This is print only category, so no links to share.) 

Opinion and the Arts is characterized by creativity as well as breadth and depth of coverage. Content is representative of the wide range of the Catholic Intellectual tradition including art, literature, and critical thinking about current issues. Bravo!

N10e: BEST PERSONALITY PROFILE: National Newspaper or Wire Service — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Colman McCarthy makes sure students learn peace" by Tom Roberts

This story brings an interesting character to life and clearly demonstrates the impact he has on other people.

N11a: BEST REGULAR COLUMN: Culture, the Arts, and Leisure — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, Menachem Wecker. Articles entered:

• "Cosmopolitan 17th-century art"
• "Artworks that teach the faithful how to die well"
• "Michelangelo's architecture of faith"

Nice diverse collection of well organized articles.

N11b: BEST REGULAR COLUMN: Spiritual Life — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Soul Seeing" edited by Michael Leach. Columns submitted:   

• "Love revealed in brokenness" by Heidi Russell
• "I can't get the institutional church out of my system"  by Tom Smith
• "I know there will always be kindness" by Michael Leach

A diverse collection of well-written columns with a lot of variety. Address profound topics in an engaging manner

N48e: BEST COVERAGE OF PRO-LIFE ISSUES: National Newspaper or Wire Service — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, Articles by Kristen Whitney Daniels

• "States debate death penalty issues"
• "Arkansas' execution schedule spurs activists"
• "Ohio scrutinizes execution drug" 

Strong descriptive writing chock full of well researched facts and relevant details make this series of stories stand out as the best treatment of pro-life issues.

N54e: BEST REPORTING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES: Dignity and Rights of the Workers — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Conflicts on campus" by Menachem Wecker

This story uses detailed and rigorous reporting to investigate a contentious subject: disputes over faculty health care and unionizing at a Catholic university. The reporter is fair and precise in explaining competing claims about the course of negotiations between faculty and administrators. Persuading a variety of people to talk on the record led to the story providing a valuable range of perspectives.

N54f: BEST REPORTING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES: Solidarity — First Place

National Catholic Reporter, "Sisters listen to help heal as Rwanda marks 23 years since the genocide" by Melanie Lidman

More than a decade after the genocide in Rwanda, the Benebikira Sisters describe how they work as Sister Listeners to help community members process their experiences. The depth of reporting and explanation of the complex political situation in Rwanda -- the government acknowledges genocide only against Tutsis, not against Hutus — make clear the challenges the sisters face in helping people heal.