Released: Friday 6th June
Embargoed until 12th June 2008
Photographs available on request
Do you know someone who isn’t a Catholic but is interested in spirituality and / or your faith? Are you unsure how to reach out to them? Maybe you find yourself tongue-tied? A pioneering magazine has been created which could help.
Life4seekers Magazine is the brainchild of the Catholic Enquiry Office (CEO) under the direction of the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE) - an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The CEO promotes and stimulates interest in Catholicism and annually responds to thousands of enquiries. It provides the only service of its kind in England and Wales and connects with people across the country.
Adrian Chiles (BBC TV presenter), Shaun Edwards (Wales’ assistant rugby coach), Linda Watson (former prostitute), John Pridmore (ex gangster), and Archbishop Kevin McDonald (of Southwark) are just some of the thirty plus contributors to the 52 page glossy lifestyle publication. Articles include: “Catholic Teaching on Sex”, “Problem Page”, “Convent Kitchen” and “Sacred Melody”. (Web link: www.life4seekers.co.uk)
Bishop Malcolm McMahon, Chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis (England and Wales), said: “The Life4seekers Magazine provides an ambitious and pioneering illustration of how the Catholic Faith is rooted and finds expression in contemporary culture. It does the Church in England and Wales a great service in explaining important truths about Jesus and Catholic life in an attractive and accessible way. Do help to spread the word that it’s available.”
Director of CASE and Managing Editor of the new publication, Mgr Keith Barltrop, said: “This new resource aims to accompany those who are searching and exploring the big questions in life. It is packed with information about living life to the full, an outlook which lies at the heart of Catholicism. If you thought that being a Catholic was only about observing rules and regulations, then Life4seekers magazine is likely to turn that understanding totally upside down. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised and don’t hesitate to contact us to receive your copy of this first edition.”
People are who not already members of the Catholic Church may receive the magazine for free. Catholic parishes will be able to order copies for evangelistic activities at £1.95 per copy plus postage and packaging. In all cases, please contact the CEO on tel: 020 8458 3316. Or write to: 114 West Heath Road, London. NW3 7TX. E-mail: questions@life4seekers.co.uk
ENDS
Editors
For a copy of the magazine, interviews, photographs and more information please contact Clare Ward on: 020 8 458 3316 or 0770 939 1998.
The magazine is a first edition.
Life4seekers will be launched at Waterstone’s bookshop in Piccadilly Circus, London, on 12th June 2008. Members of the press are welcome and should ring / e-mail in advance of the launch to book their place as numbers are limited.
The magazine creators have no formal links with Waterstone's other than hiring the shop's facilities.
Embargoed images of the front cover of the magazine and a sample page (the introduction to an exclusive interview with BBC Presenter, Adrian Chiles) are available on request.