Thanks to trust built through consistent, thoughtful reporting, AP’s Religion team secured rare access inside a Virginia diocese as it prepared to ordain one of its largest classes of priests—an extraordinary development that runs counter to national trends of declining vocations.
Through beat expertise and strong source relationships, Tiffany Stanley, Jessie Wardarski and Luis Andres Henao captured an intimate, all-formats look at the personal and spiritual journeys of these future priests in the days leading up to their ordination.
The team documented everything from church events to private moments with families, creating a nuanced and candid narrative that provided readers with a rare, humanizing glimpse into a process often kept behind closed doors.
The story stood out not only for its access, but also for its depth, warmth and balance—illustrating how years of careful reporting can open doors to meaningful journalism.
Related articles
