Free Press faith columnist Longhurst receives award

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This article was published 17/02/2021 (2021 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEDICATION to chronicling and creating a level playing field for religious expression has earned a Winnipeg writer provincial recognition.

John Longhurst, a longtime Free Press Faith Page columnist, was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for the Advancement of Interreligious Understanding during a virtual ceremony Tuesday evening.

His goal was to always to showcase the humanity in so many different religions, Longhurst said during the presentation.

“Thank you tonight for this award,” Longhurst said. “I’m deeply honoured, and I accept it with humility and much gratitude.”

During non-pandemic times, the ceremony was held at Government House, but Lieut.-Gov. Janice Filmon delivered a pre-recorded address to acknowledge Longhurst’s nearly two decades of writing about faith. “There is no house of worship in Canada, and probably not in the world, large enough to accommodate all the people who have gained wisdom and insight through John’s writing. As he has reported on the most fundamental questions of justice and purpose, John has helped us all to read the good news of our common humanity, and our shared quest for a better world for people of all faiths,” Filmon said.

Much of Longhurst’s work has focused on the representation of faith in media, and he’s been covering religion for the Free Press since 2003. Publisher Bob Cox introduced Longhurst during Tuesday’s presentation and emphasized Longhurst’s persistence to ensuring faith coverage continues following his idea to have religious groups financially support the journalism. A crowd-funding campaign is in the works.

This marks the 10th anniversary for the annual award. Each year, a Manitoban who advances understanding among religious groups is receives the award.

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