Religion News Service (RNS) proudly announces that a record number of its reporters have won prestigious 2026 Wilbur Awards, recognizing exceptional work in religion journalism from 2025. These awards, presented on April 17 during the Religion Communicators Council’s annual convention, have recognized excellence in the communication of religious issues, values, and themes in secular public media since 1949. The Council’s top award is the Wilbur Award.

With a banner year of awards including in audio, RNS has showcased impactful stories that contribute to the ongoing dialogue about faith in the world today.

“RNS’ mission,” said RNS Publisher Deborah Caldwell, “is to provide high-quality journalism that informs, engages, and inspires. These awards underscore our journalists’ impactful storytelling and RNS’ critical role in advancing religious dialogue and understanding.”

Wilbur Award

Jack Jenkins: Series –Written Works – Newspaper Articles and Other Written Works, Long

• Religious resistance to ‘Operation Midway Blitz’

In Chicago, clergy and faith-based protesters say ICE is threatening their religious freedom

As ICE rocks Chicago, Catholics respond with prayer — and protest 

Methodist pastors march into courtroom to support ‘boring suburban dad’ indicted for protesting

At least seven faith leaders arrested at Broadview ICE facility protest

How one conservative Christian family is pushing back against ICE

 
Jeffrey Kenneth Salkin: Audio Productions – Audio Only News Stories, Long

• The book every Jew should read before the High Holy Days

 Heidi Schlumpf, Aleja Hertzler-McCain, and Adelle M. Banks: Written Works – Newspaper Articles and Other Written Works, Long

• Can Catholic colleges and universities stay Catholic?

Celebrating its first century, Xavier University of Louisiana perseveres as Catholic HBCU

Latinos are underrepresented in Catholic higher ed. These schools are trying to change that

Conservative Catholic colleges growing as families opt for ‘faithful’ schools

Catholic universities search for tricky balance on Trump anti-DEI push

Excellence Award 

Adelle M. Banks and Jack Jenkins: Written Works – Newspaper Articles and Other Written Works, Extra Long

• Houses of Worship Aid Federal Workers

In nation’s capital, Trump’s cuts and funding freezes spur pastoral-care crisis

Around DC, congregations aid those who’ve lost the ‘good government job’

Shutdown a ‘double whammy’ for federal workers after earlier cuts, say clergy offering aid

Amanda Henderson, Jack Jenkins, and Jonathan Woodward: Audio Productions – Audio Only News Stories, Long

• Baptizing the Battlefield: Pete Hegseth’s Holy War at the Pentagon

 Amanda Henderson, Bob Smietana, and Jonathan Woodward: Audio Productions – Audio Only News Stories, Long

• Loose Reins, Tight Factions: The Southern Baptist Convention

Richa Ravindra Karmarkar: Written Works – Newspaper Articles and Other Written Works, Long

• Hindu immigrants and visibility

‘We have arrived’: Mammoth deity statues announce Hindus’ rising status in the West

Hindu advocates, rejecting H-1B ‘elite,’ seek to defend all Indian immigrants

Hindu refugees from Bhutan are being deported to a country they cannot live in

Adora Namigadde and Aleja Hertzler-McCain: Audio Productions – Audio Only News Stories, Medium

• ICE crackdown in Chicago causes many immigrants to alter routines, even missing church

Kathryn Post: Written Works – Newspaper Articles and Other Written Works, Long

• Is there religious revival among Gen Z?

Merit Award

 Fiona Anne Andre: Written Works – Newspaper Articles and Other Written Works, Long

• Anti-Shariah conspiracy theories, a staple of 9/11-era rhetoric, resurge around Mamdani

Katelyn Beaty, Roxanne Stone, and Jonathan Woodward: Audio Productions – Long Form, Medium Series

• God, Glam and the Good Wife: The Rise of the ‘Womanosphere’

Jeffrey Kenneth Salkin: Written Works – Newspaper Articles + Other Written Works, Opinion

• Jews cannot remain silent about the murders of Christians in Congo

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ABOUT RELIGION NEWS SERVICE
Religion News Service is an independent, nonprofit source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics, reported by a staff of professional journalists. Founded in 1934, RNS informs readers with objective reporting and insightful commentary, and is relied upon by readers, listeners and viewers in the United States and around the world. Visit religionnews.com.