Scottish Catholic Observer

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia brought Glasgow Archdiocese into the new digital world last week as he launched its updated website.

The revamped site, which has been a year in preparation, represents the latest achievement in the archdiocese’s efforts to use the internet to reach out and evangelise. The new site integrates the communication streams of the archdiocese under a single digital roof with links to the archdiocese’s presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr as well as a section on the monthly Archdiocesan newsletter Flourish.

“The new website looks great,” Archbishop Tartaglia (above) said. “I am hopeful that it will provide a helpful insight into the work of the Church as well as an easy to use directory of information—essential in this digital age.”

Ronnie Convery, director of communications for Glasgow Archdiocese, said the archdiocese ‘has been on the internet for 20 years—our first website was genuinely pioneering at the time.’

“In those decades we have seen a communications revolution,” Mr Convery continued. “We need to be able to provide the news and information people require in the way they require it.

“Perhaps the biggest change has been the advent of social media. Our new website is fully integrated to allow readers to instantly share content on Facebook or Twitter. It has also been designed with the users of smart phones in mind. If accessed via a hand-held device, the website automatically reconfigures for ease of reading and sharing.

“Finally, we wanted to ensure that our presence on the web was attractive. Pope Francis reminds us that the digital world is one of those ‘peripheries’ where the Church has to be, reaching out and sharing Her own message. We have used many beautiful images of the restored St Andrew’s Cathedral to ensure that people will be drawn onto the website and encouraged to explore further.”

—Glasgow Archdiocese’s website can be found at www.rcag.org.uk