National Catholic Reporter Shines at 2025 Catholic Media Awards with Over 70 Honors

National Catholic Reporter Shines at 2025 Catholic Media Awards

On July 1, 2025, the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) announced a remarkable achievement: it and its affiliated platforms—Global Sisters Report (GSR), EarthBeat, and GSR en español—gained over 70 accolades at the 2025 Catholic Media Awards. This accomplishment cements NCR's status as a pivotal voice in independent Catholic journalism.

The landmark event took place on June 27 in Phoenix, where NCR's news editor, Carol Zimmermann, received the prestigious St. Francis de Sales Award, commonly known as the “Franny.” This honor is bestowed to individuals who have showcased exceptional contributions to Catholic journalism. Zimmermann's dedication to the field spans over three decades, having joined NCR in August 2024, and this award recognizes her commitment and impact.

NCR, alongside GSR and EarthBeat, was celebrated in various categories, including investigations, environmental reporting, political commentary, and design. The organization garnered an impressive tally of accolades, with 25 first-place awards, 16 second-place, 15 third-place, and numerous honorable mentions, highlighting the quality of stories published in 2024.

Among the standout contributors, NCR reporter Camillo Barone won 10 awards, five of which were first place, for his incisive coverage of both global and domestic matters. Additionally, reporter Katie Collins Scott matched Barone's total with 10 awards, securing four first-place positions and also ranking as a finalist for Writer of the Year. Investigative journalist Brian Fraga was praised for his insightful coverage of the interplay between church politics and conservative Catholic influence on American voters, winning five awards in total.

From GSR, Doreen Ajiambo, the Africa regional correspondent, earned seven awards recognizing her reporting on environmental emergencies and advocacy efforts by sisters, alongside feature profiles that brought important stories to light. Environmental correspondent Brian Roewe also made an impact, securing seven awards and earning an honorable mention for Writer of the Year.

Rhina Guidos, the Latin America regional correspondent for GSR, was recognized with seven awards for her compelling narratives on immigration and the role of faith in various communities. Moreover, GSR received an honorable mention for its Spanish Publication of the Year and four other awards recognizing excellence in Spanish-language journalism.

Founded in 1964, the National Catholic Reporter stands as an independent news source dedicated to Catholic issues and perspectives. As it continues to earn accolades and recognition for its commitment to quality journalism, NCR remains a vital platform for discussions within the Catholic community and beyond. Readers can access the publication and its extensive coverage at NCRonline.org.

For further inquiries about the publication and its achievements, Joe Ferullo, Publisher/CEO, can be reached for comments and additional information.