(Garrison, NY–July 16, 2014) Ecumenical Trends, a journal published by Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, received Honorable Mention from The Catholic Press Association for Best Essay in a Professional and Special Interest magazine. Two essays were acknowledged by the Association: “What Does God Desire? Toward a Deeper Ecumenism and Interfaith Partnership” by Dr. William R. Burrows (July/August 2013) and “Acknowledging Our Sins: A Protestant Confessional” by Dr. Russell Huizing (November 2013).

In The Catholic Journalist 2014 Awards Issue, Dr. Burrow’s essay was described as a “thoughtful well-researched, thorough piece that employs clear examples, persuasively written.” Dr. Huizing’s essay was described as an “Impressively profound and unflinching reflection on a thorny matter of theology presented in a thoroughly researched and detailed manner.”

Last year, The Catholic Press Association awarded Ecumenical Trends with Second Place in the category of General Excellence, for the overall excellence of a publication. In awarding the prize the judges noted “Clean professional appearance for serious and thoughtful publication for intellectual reflection on the dimensions of ecumenical movements and issues related to interreligious dialogue. Writing level appropriate to specialists in the area, but accessible to an informed layperson or observer.”

Ecumenical Trends is available to print and digital subscribers and is published 11 times each year. Submissions on the topics of ecumenism, Christian Unity and interfaith relations by experts and scholars from around the world are presented in each issue.

Rev. James Loughran, SA, Director of Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute (GEII), edits the publication. GEII, based on Riverside Drive in New York City, is active within the international movement to heal divisions within Christianity and create unity among people of all faiths. Each year it provides the prayer resources for the Week of Prayer of Christian Unity to congregations around the world. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are a Roman Catholic order of brothers and priests founded in 1898 by Fr. Paul Wattson, SA, Servant of God, a pioneer and apostle for Christian Unity, at Graymoor in Garrison. Since that time, the Friars have worked for reconciliation and healing through “at-one-ment” — the unity of men and women with God and with one another — so that the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one” might be fulfilled.

For information and to subscribe to Ecumenical Trends, call 845-424-3671, ext. 3303. For information about Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, visit geii.org.

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are a Roman Catholic religious order of brothers and priests founded in 1898 by Father Paul Wattson. Their worldwide ministries include Christian unity; interfaith dialogue among Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Buddhists; serving the homeless and those suffering from alcoholism, drug addictions, and HIV/AIDS; preaching the gospel in parishes around the world, and offering respite and hope to those in need of spiritual renewal.

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