CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

COMMUNICATE CLEARLY IN EVERY SITUATION

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS PLANS BUILD TRUST AND CONFIDENCE

Strategic planning and functional assessment
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, dioceses across the country faced critical questions about whether their communications functions actually worked to advance the pastoral priorities of their bishops. For decades, diocesan communications have operated with a "news first" philosophy that put news and information "from a Catholic perspective" at the forefront. Now, with fewer than 24% of Catholics attending Mass every weekend — less so since the pandemic — evangelization, not news, must be the principle priority for diocesan communications. But reorienting the mission and goals of a communications department requires thoughtful strategic planning and a thorough assessment of resources, practices, procedures, and media properties to assure mission effectiveness. Aligning communications with the mission of the bishop is the key to infusing diocesan communications with renewed purpose, creativity, and fruitfulness.

Communications strategy and implementation
The communications team at Catholic Strategies stands ready to help your diocese identify and implement an integrated, strategic communications plan that uses all available resources synergistically for evangelization. Rather than house various media properties in silos across diocesan departments, we help you harness the power of a cohesive communications plan to assure that each diocesan ministry and department is fully supported. Our team can develop the overall plan, as well as to implement it by managing the reorganization of your comm department. We're also able to lead or support your communications team temporarily or as a long-term assignment.

Media relations and spokesperson training
Most diocesan communications offices also serve as the primary media relations office, responding to press inquiries, handling interview requests, serving as the conduit to experts on various subjects, and promoting press coverage when appropriate. Our seasoned consultants can assist with media relations, especially for crisis communications, and can train diocesan staff in best practices for effectively handling media.

Comm staffing
With budgets stretched thin, dioceses are cutting back on staffing. Yet the functions of the diocesan communications department remain unchanged: overseeing a regular publication, maintaining the diocesan website, posting to social media properties, disseminating newsletters to pastors, priests, and parishioners, not to mention promoting the work of various ministries and departments within the curia. The professional team at Catholic Strategies can augment your diocesan comms team with temporary or long-term assistance with any or all of these important tasks.

Catholic Strategies for COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it challenges to the Church unlike any in modern history. Catholics are still unable to gather together as a full parish community for worship or to receive the sacraments. Parish priests are struggling to provide pastoral care to their parishioners. Parishes and schools face an uncertain future in the face of reduced weekly offertory funds. Few dioceses are prepared for such an existential crisis. Catholic Strategies can help.

Communications plans to restore confidence and bring Catholics back
Dioceses have adjusted with amazing flexibility and creativity to the implications of the pandemic. From broadcasting livestream Masses to coordinating remote work and school solutions, they demonstrated that the Church is able to respond quickly and decisively. Now, dioceses need communications plans that will help them prepare for a post-pandemic Church. Church leaders are asking, will people return to Mass and to full participation in parish life? And how can the Church encourage a revival in parish communities after such a damaging period of inactivity? Catholic Strategies can lead dioceses through the planning process to prepare for what comes next.

Integrated marketing solutions to reach and inspire God's people
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 76% of Catholics were not engaged with their faith in a regular way. Dioceses can assist parishes to invite, encourage, and promote parish participation with integrated marketing strategies (also known as "evangelization"!), using the pandemic as an opportunity to reach out once again to Catholics who have strayed from the Church. Creating a diocesan-wide plan to promote returning to Mass and parish life will give parishes the support they need as they continue to provide pastoral care and a welcoming faith community to their parishioners.

Free resources for Catholic dioceses
In an effort to help to dioceses respond to the COVID-19 crisis, we offer free resources and ideas. Focusing on communicating with parishioners the importance of the role they have in supporting parishes and schools during the crisis, we offer a complete plan to help dioceses move parishioners to online giving and promote live streamed Masses. All materials are fully designed and ready for digital download, giving dioceses immediate solutions to communications dilemmas they could never have anticipated. Contact us to access free resources.

Healing a Wounded Church

Healing the wounds to the Body of Christ caused by the sin of abuse in the Church requires a strategic response by every bishop in every diocese. Rebuilding trust in Church leaders requires effective communication about ongoing measures to protect all people, as well as how those responsible for abuse have been brought to justice.

Crisis communication planning
It can seem like crisis management for dioceses is the new normal. Each day there are new investigations, revelations and expectations. Every diocese needs an ongoing, updated crisis communications plan, so that your team can consistently handle a crisis. A crisis communications plan can also comprise a long-term approach to rebuild trust, help victims heal and allow you to focus on your mission. Catholic Strategies consultants have experience implementing crisis communications plans for bishops and dioceses. See how our experience can help your diocese.

Integrated diocesan media for effective communication
Understanding how to integrate all forms of diocesan media — print, broadcast, digital and social — enables a diocese to effectively communicate with Catholics and the wider community about the diocesan response to the abuse crisis. Clear and transparent communication helps to foster a rebuilding of trust and create an environment for healing. Catholic Strategies consultants work with diocesan clients across America and specialize in helping dioceses align all diocesan media staff toward a common strategy to achieve goals.

Training for diocesan communications teams
Whether your diocese is large or small, a crisis is a stressful time for diocesan leaders and the communications team. The continuing issues around the abuse crisis are complex: Do we release names of abusive clergy? Do we prepare a comprehensive report in order to be transparent? What national events do we need to respond to locally? How do we defend something that we discovered in our files that is indefensible ? No matter how talented and dedicated your team is, consultants from Catholic Strategies are here to help you navigate these questions, and to train and support your staff in order to help them be the best they can be.