Articles by Past Egan Award Recipients

In 2008, seven winners of the Eileen Egan Award for Journalistic Excellence—accompanied by Catholic Relief Services staff—traveled to the Middle East to follow the story of Iraqi refugees in Lebanon and Syria. You can read more about their experiences in the following articles written for their publications, and see a slideshow of photos from the trip.

During 13 days of travel, the journalists had a chance to see various CRS-supported projects, including household, health, legal and education assistance for Iraqi refugees as well as environmental improvement initiatives in Hezbollah-influenced southern Lebanon.

They started their journey in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, where they met with local CRS staff. From there, they visited Iraqi refugees in their homes, met with church leaders, traveled by bus to the cities of Aleppo and Damascus in Syria, and visited a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees food and assistance distribution complex that serves tens of thousands of refugees. During the trip, winning journalists were able to visit the ancient ruins of Byblos, Lebanon; the citadel overlooking old city Aleppo; and the street called Straight in Damascus, where Paul met Ananias and received his sight as referenced in the Book of Acts.

Catholic Sun

Diary from the Middle East #1–J.D. Long-Garcia

Diary from the Middle East #2–J.D. Long-Garcia

Catholic News Service

Refugees say security issues keep them from returning to Iraq–Paul Jeffrey

Despite incentives, Iraqi refugees not returning home, say officials–Paul Jeffrey

Loquitur

Project brings Iraqi students to U.S.–Meaghan Hurley

Ecumenical News International

Syrian Christians say Israeli-Palestinian peace must be Obama priority–Chris Herlinger

'Iraq is finished' say Christians who fled conflict–Chris Herlinger

Religion News Service

Iraqi Refugees Don't Spare Much Thought for U.S.–Chris Herlinger

Michigan Catholic

Bishops fear for Chaldeans in Iraq, Christians in Middle East–Marylynn Hewitt

His sister and her family wait as refugees in Syria–Marylynn Hewitt

2008 Egan Award Winning Entries

Division A: National Circulation

Barbara Fraser, National Catholic Reporter, No longer silent

Divsion B: Regional/Local Circulation Above 35,000

J.D. Long-García, The Catholic Sun, Dangers along the road less traveled

Division C: Regional/Local Circulation Below 35,000

Marylynn G. Hewitt, SFO, The Michigan Catholic, Bread of a new life: ROPE programs transforms lives through baking

Division D: Series with National Circulation

Paul Jeffrey, Catholic News Service
Maryknoll missionary sows hope in Honduran gang neighborhood
Father shot dead after leaving Honduran gang, building new life
Church workers: Repressing Central American gangs fuels violence

Division E: Series with Regional/Local Circulation

Amanda Finnegan and Meghan Hurley, The Loquitur
Fair Trade: steps taken, long road ahead Meghan Hurley
Editorial: What's so hard about being fair? Amanda Finnegan
Fair Trade coffee available on campus Meghan Hurley

Division F: Photography

Chris Herlinger, National Catholic Reporter