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Carol Zimmermann, the news editor for the National Catholic Reporter, has been honored with the 2025 St. Francis de Sales Award by the Catholic Media Association. The award was presented during a luncheon at the association's annual conference held from June 24 to 27 in Phoenix.
The St. Francis de Sales Award is recognized as the highest honor given by CMA to individuals for their "outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism." Zimmermann expressed her gratitude upon receiving the award, saying, “Thank you so much. Wow! I’m honored to receive this and very humbled.”
Zimmermann joined NCR as news editor in August 2024 after spending three decades at Catholic News Service until its closure in Washington in 2022. Her career also includes time as senior national correspondent for The Tablet newspaper in Brooklyn and serving as secretary on the CMA board.
In her acceptance speech, Zimmermann acknowledged fellow nominees Laura Ieraci of ONE magazine and Joe Towalski of The Central Minnesota Catholic magazine, stating, “Laura and Joe you are doing, and have done, amazing work in Catholic media — and truthfully all of us here... deserve some kind of recognition."
Zimmermann was congratulated by Chaz Muth from Trinity Washington University following her win. Reflecting on her career, she mentioned various publications she worked with: “from the Catholic Standard newspaper in Washington... to CNS Washington bureau… The Tablet in Brooklyn and my new base at NCR — all great crews.”
Her passion for journalism stems from her early school days when she enjoyed diagramming sentences: "I realized then that words had a right place; they had to fit and go together."
She compared modern-day journalists to Gospel writers like Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John: "The point is they hadn’t been to J school or learned crisis communication skills but writing is what they are remembered for."
Discussing current challenges facing Catholic media, Zimmermann noted closures such as that of New Orleans' Clarion Herald scheduled for June 28. She highlighted Peter Finney's reflections on his paper's final issue run.
“St. Francis de Sales spoke of ‘keeping in time with the times’,” Zimmermann remarked about adapting journalistic efforts today.
Julie Asher contributed additional reporting on this story.
