Vatican communications offices must be streamlined, says head of papal commission

May 27, 2015

Lord Patten, who chaired a special papal commission to assess the Vatican’s media operations, has called for a consolidation of Vatican’s publishing, broadcasting, and public-relations offices.

“It would be beyond bizarre to deny the Vatican the sort of modern media operation that others-- including existing national church organizations-- take for granted,” Lord Patten said, in a speech delivered in London for World Communications Day.

The British political leader, whose commission was created to make an overall critique of the Vatican’s media efforts, observed that while the Holy See has taken great strides to streamline and rationalize its financial affairs, “communications had not received adequate attention.”

The Patten commission concluded its work in March, and made a report to the Vatican. Although the content of that report has not been made public, Lord Patten confirmed that the group had called for major changes. He added that a “fundamental weakness” in the Vatican’s approach is the “lack of coordination and integration of the Holy See’s media assets.” The various offices that control the Vatican newspaper, radio, television, publishing, and press relations work independently, he noted. As a result there is no clear editorial policy, nor central planning for media campaigns.

This approach, Lord Patten said, creates “duplication that wastes time, resources and personnel.” He quipped: “A phrase often used in the world outside is that of ‘one-stop shops;’ there is not much chance of sighting one in Rome.”

Lord Patten’s speech implied that his commission’s report had been sharply critical of existing Vatican operations. He mentioned that in his speech, “I have not exaggerated and could indeed be accused of pulling my punches.” While he said that the commission did not call for personnel layoffs, the current staff members should not expect “guarantees to do exactly the same jobs in the same way forever.”

To be effective, Lord Patten said, the Vatican’s media operations should “develop an interactive approach where information is not merely ‘broadcast’ to a passive public but where there is a capacity to have a dialogue with the public.”

After receiving the Patten Commission’s report, Pope Francis—advised by the Council of Cardinals—created a new committee to implement the suggestions for reforms of the Vatican media operation. The new committee is composed of five members, all of them currently involved in the communications offices of the Vatican and the Italian hierarchy.

 

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Further information:

• Lord Patten urges Vatican to accept sweeping changes to its media operation (Catholic Herald)
• Pope institutes commission to reform Vatican’s media operations (CWN, 4/30)