Paul KeenanNew media body unveiled in Rome
The Vatican has appointed Britain’s Lord Christopher Patten to lead a new Vatican Communications body.
In his new role, the former Conservative politician will lead an 11-member committee in building the Vatican’s internet presence and communication strategy with a particular focus on reaching a younger audience.
The British Catholic peer stepped aside from his role with the BBC Trust just last May.
A veteran politician and diplomat, Lord Patten served as Britain’s last governor of Hong Kong during the handover of the island to China in 1997 and served as his country’s representative to the European Commission (1999-2004). He was appointed Chancellor of Oxford University in 2003, a post he still holds. In 2010 he oversaw the successful visit of then-Pope Benedict XVI to Britain.
Joining Lord Patten on the media committee will be Ireland’s Msgr Paul Tighe, the currentSecretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication. A former director of the Communications Office for the Dublin archdiocese, Msgr Tighe was appointed to the Pontifical Council in 2007.
Other members of the new committee are: Mr Gregory Erlandson (USA), Daniela Frank (Germany), Fr Eric Salobir OP (France), Leticia Soberon (Spain, Mexico), George Yeo (Singapore), Giacomo Ghisani (Vatican Radio), Msgr Carlo Maria Polvani (Secretariat of State), Msgr Lucio Adrián Ruiz (Vatican Internet Service) and Prof. Giovanni Maria Vian (L'Osservatore Romano).