The ACPA conference saw over 50 Catholic media and communications professionals in attendance from across Australasia.

This year's conference was built on the theme 'Speaking with the Heart: The Truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15)', borrowing from Pope Francis' 2023 World Communications Day message.

Francis' message encourages Catholic media professionals to communicate with an "open heart and arms." The conference set out to enable participants to listen, speak and communicate creatively while suggesting rather than imposing their views.

New Zealanders received multiple commendations at the awards ceremony. Among them,

• Michael Otto, editor NZ Catholic, Auckland - Highly Commended in the Best Editorial Column/Blog (Pictured left)
• Anne Rose, designer, NZ Catholic, Auckland - Highly Commended Best Layout and Design, Print (Pictured middle)
• Annette Scullion, editor, WelCom, Wellington - Best Layout and Design, Print (Pictured right)
• Tui Motu magazine, Dunedin - Winner in the Best Front Page
• Geremy Hema, Tui Motu magazine, Dunedin - Winner Best Content Ecumenical and Interfaith
• Lisa Beech, The Nathaniel Report, Wellington - Winner, Best Content; Faith Formation

However the top honour, the Bishop Kennedy Award for Overall Excellence, went to the Archdiocese of Hobart's publication, The Catholic Standard.

The 12-page monthly newspaper earned glowing comments from the judges who said "The Catholic Standard eminently reflects the uniqueness and richness of the Catholic community of Australia's only island state."

The paper was applauded for its balanced coverage of local, national and international news, commentary and feature stories.

Other notable ACPA award mentions include CathNews Australia's Neil Helmore, who was awarded for the best use of digital media for his Australian Plenary Council video highlights for CathNews Australia, the Diocese of Parramatta's Catholic Outlook magazine named the 'most improved publication,' and Melbourne Catholic won for best online layout and design.

Founded in 1955, ACPA aims to foster professionalism and cooperation among Catholic press members and other religious media outlets.

The organisation strives to advance religious media's development, coverage and relevance in contemporary society.

Sources

• Supplied
• ACPA
• Catholic Outlook

The 2020 awards were announced during the 2020 Virtual Catholic Media Conference on July 2.

Otto's award was in the category, Best News Writing on National or International Event - International Event, National Newspaper or Wire Service.

The award was made for his series of stories, New Zealand Mosque Shooting:

• After attacks, New Zealand bishops tell Muslims: 'We hold you in prayer"
• For Chaldeans who fled Iraq, New Zealand attacks brought back memories
• Our only hope is in God': New Zealanders gather to pray after shooting

As well as editing the NZ Catholic newspaper, Otto also writes for Catholic News Service (CNS) and these reports were posted on their website.

He has tertiary qualifications in engineering, theology and journalism, from the University of Auckland, the University of Otago and the Auckland University of Technology.

He has worked for a community newspaper (in South Auckland), in an R&D laboratory, in a mayor's office, as a university tutor, and as a port chaplain.

The purpose of the Catholic Press Awards is to acknowledge the "outstanding work of its Publisher and Communication members."

Participants choose categories organized by different media that feature writing, design, production and editing skills, and submit in sub-categories separated by intent such as news, feature stories and so forth.

The CPA has nearly 225 publication members and 600 individual members in the association.

Member print publications reach nearly 10 million households plus countless others through our members' websites and social media outlets.

Read Otto's award willing writing:

https://cnstopstories.com/2019/03/15/after-attacks-new-zealand-bishops-tell-muslims-we-hold-you-in-prayer/

https://cnstopstories.com/2019/03/18/for-chaldeans-who-fled-iraq-new-zealand-attacks-brought-back-memories/

https://cnstopstories.com/2019/03/18/our-only-hope-is-in-god-new-zealanders-gather-to-pray-after-shooting/

Source

• cdn.ymaws.com
• cnstopstories.com
• catholicpress.org
• nzcatholic.org.nNZCatholic
• Image: nzcatholic.org.nz