Cardinal John Foley Award
Remembering an Innovator in the Catholic Press
Honoring innovation in Catholic storytelling
The Cardinal John P. Foley Award recognizes an individual who demonstrated excellence and innovation in Catholic storytelling over the preceding calendar year, finding new and compelling ways to share the faith.
The nomination form opens January 6, 2027.
Remembering an Innovator in the Catholic Press
Cardinal John Patrick Foley earned his place as the patriarch of the American Catholic press. Long before most, he understood that the Gospel belongs on every available platform. He edited Philadelphia's archdiocesan newspaper, hosted the Philadelphia Catholic Hour on radio and became the English voice of the Christmas Midnight Mass for audiences around the world. Throughout his life, he helped people see and understand the Church.
As president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, he championed the Church's entry into the electronic news age and set a standard for every Catholic journalist who followed. His career showed that professional excellence and a pastoral heart belong together as the essential tools of our trade.
Nomination Criteria
Who is eligible
Nominees must be Catholic Media Association members, or employees of or contributors to a CMA member organization.
What the award honors
Creative work from the preceding calendar year that moves beyond traditional reporting to reach people where they are.
Work in any medium
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
How the Recipient Is Selected
Nominations and a vote by a committee of the CMA board lead to the presentation at the Catholic Media Conference.
- Step 1: NominationsJanuary 6 to March 6, 2027Any CMA member may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are welcome.
- Step 2: Committee voteFirst and second choiceA committee of CMA board members ranks its top two candidates.
- Step 3: PresentationJuly 15, 2027Catholic Media Conference, The Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The candidate with the most first place votes wins. In the event of a tie, the candidate with the most second place votes wins.
Recent Recipients
- 2026Rob KaczmarkSpirit Juice Studios
- 2025Juan GuajardoDiocese of Fort Worth and North Texas Catholic
- 2024Matt RiedlDiocese of Lansing
- 2023Katie RutterThing in a Pot Productions (Hundredfold Video)
- 2022Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jeff CavinsAscension
- 2021Peter FinneyClarion Herald
- 2020Chaz MuthCatholic News Service
The Cardinal John Foley Award is one of four individual honors the Catholic Media Association presents each year, alongside its annual awards programs.
Explore all CMA awards and honors