Catholic Directory goes electronic after 175 years

PRINTING OF THE Catholic Directory of England and Wales is to cease after 175 years although an online version will continue to appear, writes Christopher Lamb.

The directory lists contact details of priests and parishes, along with statistics about the Church in England and Wales.

In recent years, it has been published by the Universe Media Group – formerly Gabriel Communications – on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The directory was first printed in 1839 and 2014 saw the final printed version.

Now, the bishops’ conference has decided to produce an online-only directory that will include maps, contact details, Mass times of parishes along with information on Catholic schools and contacts for bishops. It will not include statistics such as Mass attendance, which lie with the dioceses. The new directory will be launched on 19 January. See www.catholicnews.org or www.cbcew.org.uk