Carol Zimmermann Honored with 2025 St. Francis de Sales Award
Carol Zimmermann, news editor of the National Catholic Reporter (NCR), has been honoured with the 2025 St. Francis de Sales Award by the Catholic Media Association (CMA). Zimmermann, who joined NCR in August 2024, brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles at Catholic News Service and The Tablet newspaper.
Zimmermann, who has also served as a CMA board member and secretary, was recognised for her outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism. In her acceptance speech, she paid tribute to fellow nominees Laura Ieraci and Joe Towalski, acknowledging the dedication of Catholic journalists across the board.
She reflected on the unique role of modern Catholic journalists, comparing them to the Gospel writers, and emphasised the importance of keeping in time with the times, as quoted by Pope Francis. Zimmermann also highlighted the broad scope of the Catholic beat and its impact on people's lives, a perspective she has honed during her tenure at NCR and her previous roles.
Zimmermann acknowledged the challenges faced by Catholic media, noting the closure of the Clarion Herald, an archdiocesan newspaper of New Orleans. Despite these challenges, she expressed gratitude for her colleagues at various Catholic outlets where she has worked, underscoring the collaborative spirit within the Catholic journalism community.
The St. Francis de Sales Award, the highest honour presented by the CMA, recognises Zimmermann's exceptional contributions to Catholic journalism. Her career, spanning over three decades and multiple prominent Catholic publications, reflects her commitment to reporting on faith and its impact on people's lives. Zimmermann's award serves as a testament to the vital role of Catholic media in contemporary society.
