I am ashamed to say that I hadn't come across The Bishop's Blog until I read about it this evening on Fr Ray Blake's Blog (although I think a friend had mentioned it in passing). The Bishop's Blog is written by the Bishop of Lancaster, the Rt Rev Michael Campbell OSA. Bishop Campbell also happens to be a well known author in his own right. His most recent publication is called You will be My Witnesses, and is published by St Paul's. In fact, I was at the launch for this book a few weeks ago, where I met the jovial and highly intelligent Bishop Michael. As you can see from the above photo, the Papal Nuncio was at the same event.
It really is good news that one of our English and Welsh bishops is prepared to engage with the new media in such a positive way! In fact, whilst reading Bishop Michael's blog, which is on the Diocese of Lancaster's website, I came across a news item headed "The 'Blogging' Bishop Campbell welcomes Vatican Blogfest". This article is available in full on a pdf which can be downloaded from the Diocese of Lancaster's site.
Here is part of the article, in which Bishop Michael Campbell praises the use of new means of communication, incuding blogging, as tools for the "new evangelisation":
As a keen blogger himself Bishop Michael Campbell welcomed the news that theVatican is organising a meeting for Catholic bloggers in Rome on 2 May. Though unable to attend himself due to prior commitments he believes that it’s important for the Church to use the new media for evangelisation and apologetics.The piece then goes on to quote Bishop Michael, who has this to say about blogging in general and the Vatican's BlogMeet in particular:
‘The new media represent a revolution in communication as significant as the invention of the printing press. It has taken journalism and public discourse out of the hands of powerful media groups and put it in the hands of millions of ordinary people throughout the world.Just as the Church was at the forefront of other revolutions in communication, such as the copying and dissemination of manuscripts, printing presses, radio and television, the Church is embarking on the development of the new media through the creativity and investment of time and money by thousands of Catholic bloggers and web designers.The meeting in Rome on the 2nd of May organised by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications is a recognition by the Holy See of the importance of this fast-changing medium for the future of the Church’s engagement with modern culture. May Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, bless this endeavour.’
Not that long ago it would have been impossible to think that an English bishop could have lent such powerful support to the work of Catholic bloggers! Yes, there has been fear and mistrust of bloggers by the hierarchy, and some bloggers have been too quick to judge those bishops who might not be as enthusiastic as some of us for the "reforms of the Reform". But, there is definitely something in the air - an opening of doors and ears; a realisation that many bloggers are being guided by the Holy Spirit, and that all we want is the best for the Church we love and salvation for the World we live in.
Please do make the time to visit Bishop Michael's blog, and to keep him in your prayers as he leads parts of the Church in exploring the new media as authentic tools of evangelisation.
It might even be an idea to ask Bishop Michael if he would like to be the president of any Guild of Catholic Bloggers that might be formed over the coming months?
Links:
For more on the book launch at St Paul's Bookshop, please see the St Paul's Blog
As well as Bishop Michael's blog, you many also be interested to read Lancaster Cathedral's blog (though it doesn't appear to have been updated since last year).
Fr Tim Finigan has also just posted on Bishop Michael's blog and his support for bloggers.
[Image: Bishop Michael Campbell and Archbishop Antonio Mennini (Apostolic Nuncio) at the book launch for You will be My Witnesses; Source: St Paul's Blog]
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