Ottawa

The Anglican Journal won a total of 12 awards at the annual Canadian Church Press convention and awards dinner, held at Carleton University May 25-26.

The Journal's coverage of last year's General Synod, the Anglican Church of Canada's triennial governing convention, garnered a first place award in the category of in-depth treatment of a news event, with the judge noting the newspaper offered "broad coverage, well packaged (stories)," with a good layout.

Last year also saw the election of a new primate and editor Leanne Larmondin's retrospective look at Archbishop Michael Peers' (the outgoing primate) career was awarded first place in the category of newspaper interview.

The Journal's layout and design took two first place awards for art director Saskia Rowley in the categories of newspaper front page and layout and design of a newspaper. Journal contributors also were recognized. First place awards went to the Journal's culture page in the category of media review – newspaper and to a drawing called Lifting up the Primate by David Shaw. Second place in the poetry – newspaper category went to Jesus Meets a Parable by Ontario-based poet and artist Mel Malton and a third place award in the category of theological reflection (inspirational) went to Edmonton's Bishop Victoria Matthews for her first-person account of coping with breast cancer.

The Journal's letters page received a first prize award with the judge noting, "pages feature frank discussions of vital church issues – good range of opinion and no bias noted." The judge also praised Ms. Malton's cartoons illustrating prominent letters.

Among other significant awards, BC Christian News won the A.C. Forrest Memorial Award for its coverage of Vancouver's rough Downtown Eastside neighborhood and The Catholic Register won first prize in the category of general excellence. Second prize in that category went to the Journal.

Founded in 1957, The Canadian Church Press is a membership organization of Canadian Christian publications, including magazines, newspapers and newsletters.