Fr Joe Borg appointed to Vatican study group

Fr Joe Borg has been appointed by the Vatican as one of eight international media experts to study the Catholic church’s mission in a digital environment.

The Maltese priest was appointed to one of 10 study groups set up following the bishops’ synod held last October.

One of the 20 chapters in the synod’s document was dedicated to the church’s mission in the digital environment. Some of the most controversial issues raised at the first assembly of the Synod of Bishops, including the Church’s presence in the media, will be examined by study groups. Other groups were set up to deliberate on women deacons, the involvement of laypeople in the choice of bishops and a greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics.

Preliminary reports are expected to be presented by October, when the bishops’ second assembly will be held in Rome.  The final document is expected by June 2025.

The study group to which Fr Borg was appointed is being coordinated by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication headed by Mgr Lucio Ruiz.

Fr Borg has been active in the media for almost 50 years and was responsible for the local church’s media policy document The Digital Face of the Lord.

He also chaired the Public Broadcasting Services editorial board and headed the University of Malta’s Campus FM radio station.

For many years he also headed the Maltese Church's media arm.