Deacon Greg Kandra is a Roman Catholic deacon, writer, and multimedia editor known for his spiritual writings and distinguished career in broadcast journalism. He serves as Multimedia Editor for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), overseeing its blog "One-to-One" and editing its award-winning magazine, ONE. His popular blog, "The Deacon’s Bench," hosted on Patheos, has garnered over 15 million visitors since its launch in 2007. Kandra is the author of several books, including "The Living Gospel: Daily Devotions for Advent 2018" and "The Busy Person’s Guide to Prayer," which reflect his commitment to accessible spiritual guidance.
Before transitioning to religious writing, Kandra spent nearly three decades in broadcast journalism, primarily at CBS News, where he contributed to programs such as "48 Hours," "60 Minutes II," and "The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." He was the founding editor of "Couric & Co.," Couric’s CBS News blog, and co-wrote the acclaimed documentary "9/11," which featured rare footage from the World Trade Center attacks. His essays have appeared in publications like AMERICA, U.S. CATHOLIC, and Dan Rather’s book "Deadlines and Datelines." Kandra’s homilies are featured in collections such as "Hungry and You Fed Me" and "Naked and You Clothed Me."
A recipient of numerous accolades, Kandra has earned two Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and multiple Catholic Press Association honors. In 2017, he was named Clergy of the Year by the Catholic Guild of Our Lady of the Skies Chapel at JFK Airport. Ordained in 2007 for the Diocese of Brooklyn, he resides in Forest Hills, New York, where he serves at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parish. His work continues to bridge faith and media, offering reflections that resonate with a global audience.