WCR named top regional paper

The Western Catholic Reporter has again been named Canada's top regional Church newspaper.

The award was presented to WCR editor Glen Argan at the Canadian Church Press' 50th annual convention in Toronto.

The judge for the contest described the WCR as "an excellent publication that serves its current readers well and is potentially attractive to new readers."

The WCR was praised for its "solid, broad-based local coverage, good design balance, neither too dense nor too thin, (its) clear and confident layout, and excellent use of photography."

The WCR has won either first or second place in the awards competition for best regional Church newspaper in nine out of the last 10 years.

Bill Glen, a WCR reporter, also won second prize for best feature writing for his front-page article in the Nov. 27, 2006 issue, "Schizophrenics call to Church for understanding."

Glen's article was described as a "good first person and personal entry into a complex and misunderstood issue that affects many Canadians."

Kathleen Giffin, a Hinton-based monthly contributor to the WCR's Scripture reflection column Word Made Flesh, won third prize in the regular columnist category.

The judge said Giffin "has a real talent for using her personal experience to explore the depths and lessons of her faith. She also displays great honesty."

Winners of other general excellence awards from the CCP were:

• The Catholic Register of Toronto, which won first place among national newspapers.
• The Salvationist, a Toronto-based publication of the Salvation Army, which was awarded first prize among "denominational/non-denominational" magazines.
• The Spiritan, a Toronto-based quarterly published by the Holy Ghost Fathers, in the specialized magazine category.

• The Catalyst, a publication of Citizens for Public Justice, was chosen as the best newsletter.

Also at the meeting, Argan, the WCR editor and general manager, was elected president of the CCP for the next two years. The organization has nearly 70 member publications.

Argan was editor of the WCR from 1981 to 1985 and has served in the role again since the beginning of 1991.

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