CNA editor to lead communications for Los Angeles archdiocese

Denver, Colo., Aug 23, 2012 / 13:42 pm

Catholic News Agency's editor-in-chief, David Scott, has been tapped to lead the communications operations of the nation's largest archdiocese.

Archbishop José H. Gomez has appointed Scott as his vice chancellor for communications. Scott will "direct and coordinate all internal and external communications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles," according to a statement released by the archdiocese Aug. 20.

The Los Angeles archdiocese spans nearly 9,000 square miles and encompasses 120 cities in southern California. It serves a Catholic population of roughly 5 million in 288 parishes and is one of world's most diverse archdioceses, ministering to 72 different ethnic and national groups and offering liturgies and pastoral services in roughly 40 languages.

A veteran Catholic journalist, Scott has served as CNA's editor-in-chief since 2010. He helped guide Catholic News Agency during a period of growth that saw the agency expand its coverage of national and international affairs and cultural issues.

During his tenure, the agency launched a subscription service for diocesan newspapers and was selected as the exclusive newswire provider for the National Catholic Register, the nation's premier Catholic newsweekly. Scott also helped the agency establish new digital and multimedia operations and expand its Rome bureau.

"This appointment is an honor," Scott said. "Archbishop Gomez is one of the great leaders in the Church today. I'm excited to help him communicate his vision for the new evangelization and the power and beauty of the Gospel."

"But I am really sad to leave CNA," Scott added. "This is a special place. Every day I had the privilege of working with the sharpest, most creative journalists and editors in the business. They have the highest professional values and a true dedication to Catholic journalism as a vocation. I'm going to miss them a lot."

"For me, CNA represents the future of Catholic media," Scott continued. "This agency understands that Catholic journalism has to serve the Church's mission in a global culture where many people are indifferent to God, and where powerful interest groups are unfriendly to the Church and the Catholic vision of life and society."

With news bureaus in North and South America and Europe, the Denver-based Catholic News Agency and EWTN News operation is one of the biggest and fastest growing independent Catholic media outlets in the world.

Through its Editors' Service, the agency also provides a full range of news, features, commentary web-video and photojournalism for print and internet publications. CNA's sister news agency, ACI Prensa, is the largest provider of Catholic news in Spanish.

"David Scott has played a tremendous role in helping to take CNA/EWTN News to the next level of its development," said Michael Warsaw, President and CEO of EWTN, the world's largest Catholic media organization. "He has a keen news sense and a tremendous understanding of the Church and her teachings."

"All of us are very grateful for David's service to our mission," Warsaw said. "While I hate to see him leave his current role with us, I think he is the perfect person for this new position within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. I wish David well and assure him of our prayers."

Alejandro Bermúdez, executive director of Catholic News Agency, stated that "David's departure marks a significant transition for CNA."

"He will be greatly missed in the day to day operations, but we are energized by his enthusiasm and knowledge and the vision he has given to our team."  

"That vision includes expanding our presence in the new media, especially our growing services to Catholic news editors in the English-speaking world," Bermudez said.