Archdiocese of Cologne Honors Five Church Communication Projects

The Archdiocese of Cologne has presented awards to five church public relations projects through the Hiero Award.

More than 50 parishes and institutions applied for the prize with a total of 175 submissions. A jury consisting of five members granted prizes across four categories and one special prize. The Hiero Award replaces the Parish Letter of the Year competition, which had existed for ten years since 2016. While the previous competition focused on printed newsletters, the new award recognizes a broader range of media, including podcasts, documentary films, social media channels, posters, and participatory projects.

The category for Innovation and Courage was awarded to the Instagram and TikTok channels of the newly founded St. Rochus parish in Düsseldorf. Their project, a video series titled We are founding a parish, features a priest who is presented as approachable through everyday activities, such as cooking pasta or riding an e-scooter. The project aims to reach young people and individuals who have no prior contact with church topics by using language familiar to youth.

Other recognized projects include a church quartet featured in the parish letter of the Brauweiler-Geyen-Sinthern parish community, which won the Small and Fine category. The Dialogue and Participation prize was given to a photo competition and resulting calendar about places of quiet created by the St. Antonius and Benediktus Catholic parish in Düsseldorf. The Attitude and Mission award went to a documentary film about the Learning Vision of the Episcopal Vocational College in Cologne.

Additionally, the jury granted a special prize to a digital display case at the Liebfrauenkirche of the St. Clemens and Mauritius Catholic parish in Cologne. The award is named after Saint Jerome, one of the most significant Latin Church Fathers, and is intended to honor the commitment of both professional and volunteer staff while facilitating networking and exchange.