The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are pleased to announce that Ecumenical Trends, the award-winning journal of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue published by Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute and edited by Dr. Aaron Hollander, received two honors from the Catholic Media Association at its 2026 Catholic Media Conference.
Ecumenical Trends received Second Place in the category of Best Essay – Professional and Special Interest Magazines for “Anabaptist Decision-Making, Polarization, and the Challenge of Power” by Dr. Russell P. Johnson.
The essay explores the consensus-based decision-making practices of Mennonite and Quaker communities. Dr. Johnson offers a thoughtful examination of how these traditions foster dialogue, listening and communal discernment while also acknowledging the challenges posed by hidden power dynamics.
The judges praised the article for its balanced approach, noting that it provided a “thoughtful analysis of Mennonite and Quaker consensus decision making that reveals the method’s strengths without minimizing its lack of attention to power differences.” They further commended it as “strong and balanced writing about ‘learning to disagree better.’”
Ecumenical Trends also earned Third Place in the same category for “Nostra Aetate at Sixty: Reviving a Moribund Decree” by Dr. Mary C. Boys, SNJM.
The article examines the enduring significance of Nostra Aetate, the landmark declaration of the Second Vatican Council that transformed the Catholic Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions, particularly Judaism. Through historical analysis and contemporary reflection, Dr. Boys highlights the document’s continued relevance in addressing antisemitism and fostering interreligious understanding.
The judges described the essay as “an academic and historical look at Nostra Aetate” that successfully made “a somewhat obscure document from Vatican II more interesting.” They added that, “as antisemitism remains an important issue, this article is relevant and informative.”
For decades, Ecumenical Trends has provided a forum for scholarship, reflection, and conversation on Christian unity and interreligious relations. These awards recognize its ongoing commitment to addressing important theological and social issues with intellectual rigor, historical insight, and practical relevance.
The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement congratulate Dr. Hollander, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Boys, and all those who contribute to the continued success of Ecumenical Trends.
