Vida Nueva and The Tidings, the Spanish- and English-language newspapers serving the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, won 11 awards from the Catholic Press Association June 3.
The publications were recognized at the annual Catholic Media Convention, which was hosted this year in St. Louis. The contest included Catholic publications from across the United States and Canada.
Archbishop José H. Gomez won first place for his column in Vida Nueva, “Mensaje del Arzobispo.” The judges said the archbishop “praises Pope Francis for his personal tone, poetic imagery and reflexive disposition, all qualitites that [Archbishop Gomez] exhibits as well.”
Victor Alemán won first place for Best Multiple Picture Package for his coverage of the Rite of Election in Vida Nueva. The judges wrote that the “overhead perspective is exceptional.” Alemán along with Osvaldo Cisternas also won second place for Best Newspaper Front Page in Vida Nueva.
The Tidings won two first place awards for reporting on SB 128, the measure to legalize physician-assisted suicide. R.W. Dellinger, Clara Fox and J.D. Long-García won in the Best Analysis/Background/Round-Up News category for “End-of-life care.” Judges called the entry the “clear winner.” Dellinger and Long-García also won in the Best Coverage of Local Politics category. The judges said the entries “compelling glimpses into this troublesome issue.”
Dellinger joined Brenda Rees and Michael Wahle to win first place for “Best Coverage of the Year of Consecrated Life.” “Impressive, well-researched and well-written profiles,” the judges wrote. “The writers dug deep and the presentations enhanced their efforts.”
John Rueda won second place in the Best Multiple Picture Package for “Dried up: Drought leaves farmers struggling.” Dellinger, who wrote the accompanying story, won third place for his writing in the Best In-Depth/Special Reporting category.
The entire Tidings team won third place for their coverage of the three new auxiliary bishops, “Good Shepherds,” in the Best Special Supplement on a Bishop’s Transition category. “This supplement, which involved the ordination of three auxiliary bishops, presented a tricky challenge, which was handled well.”
Heather King received an honorable mentioned for her weekly culture column and Long-Garcia won second place for his reporting from Honduras in the Best Investigative News Writing category for “A closer look at Central American immigration.”
