Boston College professors, student win awards from Catholic Media Association
Boston College professors in the Clough School of Theology and Ministry and the Theology and Philosophy departments have received a number of Catholic Media Association awards, presented at the group's Catholic Media Conference in June. The awards annually honor outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism, publishing, communications, and other media.
Clough School Professor Hosffman Ospino and co-editor Timothy Matovina received a first place Book Award for Young Latino Catholics: Stories of Faith (Paulist Press). The book was recognized in the category of Pastoral Ministry: Youth & Young Adult. In this volume, a diverse group of young Latina and Latino Catholics share their personal stories of how they integrate their faith into their lives, in order to invite other young adult Hispanic Catholics to do the same and to aid those in pastoral ministry who work with this group.
Kraft Family Professor Emeritus James Bernauer, S.J., was honored with a first place Book Award as editor of Auschwitz and Absolution: The Case of the Commandant and the Confessor (Orbis Books). The book was recognized in the category of Sacraments. Auschwitz and Absolution provides a compelling account of a secret and sacramental meeting between Rudolf Höss, the Commandant for Auschwitz, and a Polish Jesuit priest. In addition, 17 Christian and Jewish scholars offer a critical challenge to, or celebration of, Christian notions of forgiveness.
Philosophy Professor Peter Kreeft's Food for the Soul: Reflections on the Mass Readings - Cycle B (Word on Fire) received second place honors in the category of Scripture – Series and an honorable mention in the category of Scripture – Popular Studies.
His four-volume Socrates’ Children: An Introduction to Philosophy from the 100 Greatest Philosophers (Word on Fire) earned two second place Book Awards, one in the category of Theological and Philosophical Studies and the other in the Design and Production category.
Socrates’ Children examines the big ideas of four major eras—ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary.
Another organization, the Association of Catholic Publishers, which seeks to provide visibility to, advocacy for, and sustainability of published Catholic content, also honored Socrates’ Children through its 2024 Excellence in Publishing Awards. Kreeft’s work was recognized with third place honors in the General Interest category.
In addition to books, the Catholic Media Association announced awards for newspapers and magazines. Monan Professor of Theology Lisa Sowle Cahill and co-authors were recipients of a second place award for “The Challenge of Peace: Reflections on the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Bishops’ Peace Pastoral” (American Catholic Studies). The work was recognized in the category of Best Feature Article – Scholarly Magazines.
CSTM student Luis Donaldo González and his co-author were honored with a first place award in the category of Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Solidarity for their article "Mexico's Sisters Accompany Youth Gang Members: 'They Make Me Turn the Page'" that was published by Global Sisters Report/National Catholic Reporter. The wrtiers were previously honored by the Associated Church Press for the same article.