88 pages to re-launch its presence among the English media: that’s how many pages there are in a last number of ‘Briefing’, the revamped bi-monthly ‘magazine’ published by the Bishops’ Conferences of England, Wales and Scotland. The renewal of the magazine is a matter not just of ‘look’ but also of contents. It has captured the attention of the major broadsheets like The Times, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Independent. The launch of the new ‘Briefing’ and its on-line version ‘Virtual Briefing’ (www.virtualbriefing.org) was at the centre of a presentation in the archdiocese of Westminster on 26 January, in the presence of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. “Reading ‘Briefing’ said the cardinal means having a single and in-depth view of the life of the local and universal Church”. Words of praise for the magazine were also expressed by Msgr. John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for social communications: in his view, it “is an essential means of communication for the Catholic Church, but also a means of formation and inspiration”. Father Timothy Radcliffe, former superior general of the Dominicans, declared that “Briefing helps the Church increasingly to become a place of dialogue and mutual understanding”. “Sound information said Bishop Michael Evans of East Anglia is especially vital for those who have to communicate an important message. We have the Gospel to communicate: if we improve our way of communicating, those who will be able to hear these words will be more numerous”. The re-launched magazine, apart from news from the Holy See, cites documents and statements by bishops relating to current affairs, and reports communications relating to diocesan and national events, combined with comments and reflections. Ample coverage is also devoted to ecumenical news.
