The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) Board of Governors has honored Fr. Jim Gardiner, SA, as an RCC life member in recognition of his devotion to and work on behalf of the organization. The recognition took effect at RCC’s 2026 annual meeting, when Fr. Jim completed his service on the Board of Governors.
RCC life members are a special group within the organization. They are professionals who have belonged to RCC for at least ten years and have made significant contributions to RCC and to the profession of religious communication.
Fr. Gardiner joins 12 others who have previously been recognized by RCC as life members.
“By recognizing their long-time involvement in and leadership of RCC, the Board celebrates our life members’ significant contributions to both our organization and the profession,” explains Ryan Koch, president of RCC’s Board of Governors.
He adds, “RCC would not be the successful organization that we are without their time, energy and effort.”
During his years of membership, Fr. Gardiner served RCC in many ways, including on the Board of Governors, as president of the New York Chapter, as host of RCC’s 50th anniversary convention at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and on numerous committees and task groups.
Fr. Gardiner took his first vows with the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in 1961. He previously served as director of the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison, N.Y., now known as the Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center. He currently serves as director of special projects at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, chair of the Washington Archdiocesan Holy Land Committee, regional representative for the Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers, and a board member of Franciscan Mission.
Life members are nominated and approved by the Board of Governors. Like retirees, they retain all rights and privileges of professional members but do not pay annual dues. RCC recognizes life members at the annual convention and on a special page of its website.
For brief bios of Fr. Gardiner and other RCC life members, visit https://religioncommunicators.org/life-members/.
