LAUREATES
Champions for faith-filled change
Opus Prize laureates are unsung heroes who, in the face of improbable odds, are creating change in their communities. Opus Prize laureates demonstrate meaningful faith and creativity through their inspiring work. Their leadership and dedication is helping people transform their lives.
2023
HOLY TRINITY PEACE VILLAGE KURON
In Honor of Bishop Paride Taban - South Sudan
The late Bishop Taban was the founder of South Sudan’s Holy Trinity Peace Village Kuron, an intentional community for people of diverse ethnic backgrounds who have experienced conflict. South Sudan gained independence in June 2011 after more than 50 years of armed struggle and conflict in the North. As a result, South Sudan has more than 3.25 million people living in United Nations camps for internally displaced or refugee camps in neighboring countries. In response, Bishop Taban established Holy Trinity Peace Village Kuron as a peaceful destination where human dignity can flourish. The Village’s operations focus on agriculture training, education, health services, and food security, as well as conflict resolution and peacebuilding, forever changing the lives of thousands of Sudanese.
Read more about Holy Trinity Peace Village Kuron.
2022
COMMUNITY RENEWAL INTERNATIONAL
In Honor Of Mack Mckarter - Shreveport, LA, USA
Community Renewal International “intentionally builds and grows positive, caring relationships,” a mission statement known and advanced by every volunteer and member of the international staff. CRI connects neighbors and residents to restore the foundation of safe and caring communities through three primary strategies — Renewal Teams, Haven Houses and Friendship Houses — turning neighborhoods into safe havens of friendship and support.
Read more about Community Renewal International.
2024
SISTER FRANCISCA NGOZI UTI, HHCJ
Centre for Women Studies and Intervention - Nigeria
Sister Francisca Ngozi Uti, HHCJ, founder and executive director of Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI), makes sure that Nigerian women who are fighting for their humanity against outdated traditions aren’t fighting alone. Founded 25 years ago as an initiative of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, CWSI has worked to improve women’s lives in Nigeria by dismantling harmful cultural and traditional practices from the ground up.
Read more about CWSI.
2021
RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL
In Honor of Fr. Peter Klink, SJ and Bob Braveheart - Pine Ridge, SD, USA
Founded by the Jesuits in 1888, Red Cloud has educated thousands of primary and high school students, many of whom have gone on to college, technical schools or service in the military. They graduate from Red Cloud with not just an education, but with a personal roadmap for a better life.
2019
SR. CATHERINE MUTINDI
Bon Pasteur Kolwezi - Democratic Republic Of Congo
In 2012, Sr. Catherine, in consultation with local communities developed a five-year plan which focused on addressing alternative livelihoods to mining, including farming; gender violence and the physical abuse of children; child protection policies and schooling for children; and civic strengthening given the “gold rush” environment of the mining entities. Bon Pasteur’s vision is an inclusive and democratic Congolese society where the rights of girls, women and children are protected and promoted.
2018
DR. RAMI NASHASHIBI
Inner-City Muslim Action Network (Iman) - Chicago, IL, USA
Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) has spent nearly two decades implementing grassroots programs serving vulnerable families on the South Side of Chicago. Reflecting Muslim faith traditions, IMAN works closely with Jewish and Christian leaders to manage programs that address health, leadership development, arts and culture, transitional housing, food access and advocacy for prison reform. Dr. Nashashibi is supported by a well-trained staff and partnership with more than 40 public and private organizations.
2017
SISTER MARILYN LACEY
Mercy Beyond Borders - South Sudan and Haiti
Sister Marilyn Lacey founded Mercy Beyond Borders in 2008 after a visit to Sudan where she saw what she described as “by far the most devastated place” she’d ever experienced during her decades of work with refugees around the world. With operations in South Sudan and Haiti, Mercy Beyond Borders brings hope to more than 1,400 women and girls annually by providing educational, economic and empowerment opportunities where there are few options to escape extreme poverty.
2016
SARAH LANCE
Sari Bari - Kolkata, India
Sarah Lance founded Sari Bari to offer freedom to the women of Kolkata, India who are trapped in the sex trade or vulnerable to being trafficked. The women are paid a living wage and given healthcare benefits, a pension, tuition assistance for their children and opportunities for advancement.
2014
SISTER TESA FITZGERALD
Hour Children - Long Island City, NY, USA
Sr. Tesa Fitzgerald, a Sister of St. Joseph for 50 years, leads Hour Children in Long Island City, Queens, which helps incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children successfully rejoin the community, reunify with their families and build healthy, independent lives.
2013
SAKENA YACOOBI
Afghan Institute of Learning - Herat, Afghanistan
Sakena Yacoobi leads the Afghan Institute of Learning, which empowers Afghan women and girls through education, health services and teacher training, operating on the belief that improved education and health for women is the most effective response to terrorism and violence.
2012
FR. RICHARD FRECHETTE
Saint Luke Foundation - Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Fr. Rick Frechette, an American priest and doctor, leads the St. Luke Foundation for Haiti, which provides education, healthcare and dignified humanitarian outreach to more than 150,000 people each year while employing more than 1,600 Haitian staff.
2011
LYN LUSI
Heal Africa - Goma, Democratic Republic of The Congo
Lyn Lusi, who passed away in 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer, led HEAL Africa in Democratic Republic of the Congo, which provides holistic care for victims of sexual violence and war, addressing the physical, social and spiritual needs of its patients.
2010
SR. BEATRICE CHIPETA
Lusubilo Orphan Care Project - Karonga, Malawi
Sr. Beatrice Chipeta, a Catholic nun and retired teacher, leads Lusubilo Orphan Care Project in the Karonga district of Malawi, which manages a food distribution and infant formula program, instructs mothers on nutrition and proper child care and organizes support groups.
2010
FR. JOHN HALLIGAN, SJ
Working Boys' Center - Quito, Ecuador
Fr. John Halligan, a Jesuit priest from New York, leads Working Boys' Center, a comprehensive approach which provides food, shelter, healthcare, access to school, vocational training and a variety of social services to approximately 400 families each year.
2009
AICHA ECH CHANNA
Assoc. Solidarité Féminine - Casablanca, Morocco
Aïcha Ech Channa, a Moroccan human and civil rights activist, leads the Association Solidarité Féminine in Casablanca, which provides services and job creation for unmarried women and their children, including day-care centers and training schools, restaurants, kiosks, a fitness center and more.
Read more about Aïcha Ech Channa’s work.
2008
MAGGY BARANKITSE
Maison Shalom - Bujumbura, Burundi
Marguerite "Maggy" Barankitse founded Maison Shalom, or “House of Peace,” which provides a safe haven for children and orphans, including former child soldiers, who have survived civil unrest and violence in war-torn areas.
2007
BR. STAN GOETSCHALCKX
AHADI International Institute - Kigoma, Tanzania
Br. Constant Goetschalckx leads AHADI International Institute, Tanzania, which educates refugees from the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi by providing post-secondary training via a distance-learning program and instruction.
2006
DR. ZILDA ARNS NEUMANN
Pastoral da Criança - Curítiba, Brazil
Dr. Zilda Arns Neumann, a pediatrician who passed away in the 2010 earthquake, led Pastoral da Criança, an innovative public health program that works with more than 265,000 volunteers to help families.
2005
FR. TREVOR MIRANDA, SJ
Reach Education Action Programme- Thane, India
Fr. Trevor Miranda founded the Reach Education Action Programme in India, a system of 450 literacy centers providing opportunities for children, as well as training programs for women to learn professional and life skills that help develop their communities.
2004
MSGR. RICHARD ALBERT
Helping Hands for the Poor, Inc
- Kingston, Jamaica
Msgr. Richard Albert, who passed away in Jamaica in 2015, led Helping Hands for the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica, a network of charities and institutions that provide basic services and skills to thousands each year.