TORONTO, ON May 19, 2011 – The Catholic Civil Rights League is pleased to announce that it has chosen author and journalist Michael Coren as winner of this year’s Archbishop Adam Exner Award for Catholic Excellence in Public Life. The award will be presented at the League’s annual dinner in Toronto June 2, which will feature a keynote address by Donald DeMarco.
“Through his prominent defence of Catholic teaching in his writing and broadcasting, Michael has provided strong correction to the myths that many continue to believe about our faith, and also to the bias that we often see in media coverage of faith-based issues,” said League President Philip Horgan. “It’s a pleasure to recognize Michael’s work in the media and how much it has helped promote better understanding of Catholicism.”
Mr. Coren, whose recent book “Why Catholics are Right” is on Canadian bestseller lists, said he is very pleased to receive the award. “The League has been a serious and respected participant in media and court challenges involving Catholic teaching. It’s a real honour to receive this award from them.”
About Michael Coren
Michael Coren is host of the nightly Michael Coren Show on CTS television. The Best of the Michael Coren Show also airs on Newstalk 1010 radio, the country’s premier radio station.
Mr. Coren is a popular columnist, appearing regularly in the Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg Sun and The London Free Press and in more than a dozen other daily and weekly newspapers across Canada. He is also a columnist for Women’s Post, The Catholic Register, The Landowner and The Interim.
In addition to ‘Why Catholics are Right’, he is the best-selling author of twelve books, including biographies of GK Chesterton, HG Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. He has contributed to the Dictionary of National Biography and several other anthologies. He is published in many countries and in more than a dozen languages.
He has received several honorary doctorates and awards for his writing and broadcasting. In 2005 he won The Ed Murrow Award for Radio Broadcasting, in 2006 The RTNDA Radio Broadcasting Award, in 2007 the Communicator Award in Hollywood and in 2008 the Omni Award for his television show.
About the Archbishop Exner Award
The League established the Archbishop Exner Award in 2004 to honour Archbishop Adam Exner, OMI, Archbishop Emeritus of Vancouver, upon his retirement and to recognize outstanding lay achievement in advocacy, education, life issues and philanthropy. Previous recipients include:
* Suzanne LaVallee of Quebec for leadership in education
* Frank Chauvin of Windsor, Ontario, founder of Haiti’s first orphanage for girls and initiator of an application for review of the process by which Henry Morgentaler was awarded the Order of Canada
* Dr. and Mrs. Andrew and Joan Simone of Toronto, co-founders of Canadian Food for Children, for services to philanthropy and international aid
*Campaign Life Coalition President Jim Hughes of Toronto for service to the pro-life movement
* J. Fraser Field of Vancouver, founder of Catholic Educators’ Resource Centre, for service to education
* The late Regina business leader Frederick W. Hill for philanthropy and community service.
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information: Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca