Tongue-tied church could do with the help of a press office

LAST week the story was that people should not receive Holy Communion on the tongue as it might lead to the spread of influenza. The week before people were being advised not to offer the sign of peace at Mass as it too could help spread the current flu virus. The stories received national news attention and were also discussed on a number of radio shows.

It really is laughable. According to experts, the rails on buses and Luas trams are covered in faecal deposits. Only last week I saw a euro coin in a drain and yes, I put it in my pocket.

These ‘health warnings’ have an extra level of hilarity about them: the conservatives will be delighted about ‘banning’ the sign of peace and the liberals will think that’s a smart way to get people to receive Communion in the hand.

Managing news is an art form. It was probably in the era of Tony Blair that we first heard the expression ‘spin doctor’ and it was Peter Mandelson, known by his detractors as the ‘Prince of Darkness’, who had the ability to turn the story in his favour.

Who is responsible for media affairs in the Irish Catholic Church? There is a national communications office but it seems to keep a very low profile. Does each diocese have its own press office, do bishops or provincials go directly to the media or do they go through their respective press offices?

The Communion and sign of peace issues are perfect examples of how an organisation is simply not at the races when it comes to media presentation. When last did you see a catchy or attractive news item about the church that would make you stop and think? The hierarchical church will criticise the ‘secular media’ for having an agenda against it. It is always easy to blame the messenger. Isn’t that what Trump and dictators do with great skill.

Working as a journalist I have often had the occasion to contact diocesan offices for information. With one exception it has always been a nightmare. They can’t give you a straight answer, they feed you with bits of boring information but most of the time I get the impression they are speaking down to you, they know best. I remember on one occasion phoning a bishop and the man began to lecture me in the most imperious of tones.

Of course it is dangerous to generalise but when it comes to media skills the Irish Catholic Church has little to offer. Bishop Willie Walsh is now retired but I remember once phoning him for information. It was such a delight to deal with him. He gave me the information I requested and spoke to me in the friendliest of tones.

Some media outlets love to get church stories because they know they can make them into silly issues. The Irish Catholic Church needs a professionally-run press office with dioceses, pastoral councils, religious congregations feeding into it. Then again, there is such dysfunctionality across the church is it possible for it to run a modern, efficient press office?

The manner in which it handles communications is in many ways akin to how it manages its people and how it lives in the 21st century. A dose of real charity and honesty could work wonders. It might even allow the Holy Spirit to play a role.