Cardinal John Patrick Foley was the patriarch of the American Catholic press for a reason. He understood long before most that the Gospel belongs on every platform available. From his early days as editor of Philadelphia’s archdiocesan newspaper and host of the Philadelphia Catholic Hour on radio to his global role as the English voice of the Christmas Midnight Mass, he spent his life helping the world see and understand the Church.
As president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, he didn't just maintain the status quo. He championed the Church's entry into the electronic news age and set a standard for every Catholic journalist who followed. His career proved that professional excellence and a pastoral heart are not mutually exclusive but are instead the essential tools of our trade.
Nomination Criteria
The Cardinal John P. Foley Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional excellence and innovation in Catholic storytelling over the past year. This award recognizes those who find new and compelling ways to share the faith, moving beyond traditional reporting to reach people where they are.
To be eligible, a nominee must be a Catholic Media Association member or an employee or contributor to a CMA member organization. We are looking for work that showcases creativity across any medium, including:
- Video and digital film
- Podcasts and audio storytelling
- Photojournalism and visual spreads
- Blogs and digital commentary
- Multimedia projects that blend platforms to reach a modern audience