Aberdeen: Fr Paul Bonnici appointed as media officer

The Diocese of Aberdeen has appointed Father Paul Bonnici as its new press and media officer. Father Bonnici, 35, was born in Malta and has been working as a priest in Aberdeen Diocese since 1995. A writer in the national Catholic media, and a broadcaster for the last ten years, Father Bonnici served as press and media officer at Fort Augustus Abbey on the shores of Loch Ness between 1995 and 1998. When Fort Augustus Abbey closed down in 1998 Fr Bonnici became parish priest at Fort Augustus. He has recently moved to Lerwick as Parish Priest of all of Shetland. Bishop Peter Moran of Aberdeen welcomed Father Bonnici to his new job. He said: "We have decided as a Diocese to re-establish our Diocesan Press Office. Father Bonnici comes to his new post with wide experience of national and international communications and with varied pastoral experience as a Parish Priest. We wish him well in his new ministry." Father Bonnici said: "I am delighted to accept this position which will enable me to help journalists in their daily work." The Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen has seventy churches and Mass Centres spread throughout the Eastern Highlands and the North East of Scotland. It also has churches in Orkney and Shetland.