The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has established a new Office of Communications and Evangelisation to support our common efforts in proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to the life of the Church in our nation.
The Office will work to:
- Manage and distribute statements for the Bishops’ Conference
- Share the Good News of the Gospel confidently and clearly
- Highlight the positive impact of Catholic life across Scotland
- Strengthen communication and collaboration across dioceses, parishes, schools, religious communities and lay apostolates
- Engage constructively with secular media and public discourse
- Support and develop digital evangelisation initiatives at a national level
As part of this mission, Being Catholic TV will now serve as the official digital platform of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. It will provide video content, livestreamed events, features from around the country, and faith formation resources to assist our parish communities in their work of evangelisation and outreach. To access these resources, visit beingcatholic.org or sign-up to the BCTV social channels.
The Bishops have appointed Fr Michael Kane as Director of this new Office. He will be supported by a small team of staff who will coordinate national communications, distribute official statements, and assist with the wider evangelising mission of the Church.
Commenting on the establishment of the Office, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:
“We’re thrilled at the launch of this new office and we hope everyone across the Church will be involved in its work. It’s good for us to be positive about our message, and to pass-on and share our Good News to others. There is so much happening across Scotland to build up the family of faith, and this office will help us tell that story.”
Bishop Frank Dougan, with episcopal responsibility for Communications, added:
“We are launching this new initiative because evangelisation is at the heart of the Church’s mission. We are called to be missionaries, using every means available to reach everyone we can — including the opportunities offered by digital media.”
How Clergy Can Support This Work
We ask that you:
- Let people know about this new office via your website or social channels
- Help populate our digital output by sharing your parish good news stories with the new office by sending in your contributions to media@bcos.org.uk
- Consider how digital media can further your local evangelisation efforts
- Encourage parishioners to engage with Being Catholic TV and the resources it provides
- Make use of materials and announcements circulated by the Office when appropriate
We commend this new initiative to your prayers, and we ask the intercession of Our Lady, Star of Evangelisation, that our work may bear fruit in drawing hearts to Christ.
With every good wish and blessing,
+ Bishop John Keenan President, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
+ Bishop Frank Dougan Episcopal Lead for Communications