An Irish equivalent to the lay group Catholic Voices has been established. Catholic Comment, like its British equivalent, has been formed to prepare a team of lay people to speak about the Catholic faith in the media. It is currently looking for potential speakers, and those selected will be offered media training and briefings on topical issues as they prepare for TV and radio appearances. The project directors will include independent senator Rónán Mullen, former management consultant, Catríona Curran, theology student Maura Garrihy and barrister Lorcán Price. Petra Conroy, the project co-ordinator, said: “Despite the challenges and crises of recent years, the Catholic faith matters to very many people in Ireland. There are thousands of people with a sincere commitment to the mission and teachings of the Church. Yet the media often has a hard job finding people who can speak confidently.” Miss Conroy said that the group had received unofficial support already: “We are not an official body. But we aim to support the Church’s own communications efforts by offering a team of well-informed lay people. The Eucharistic Congress will be a time of heightened interest in Catholicism and we will assist journalists looking for people of faith who are ready and able to speak.” Catholic Voices was established in the run-up to Pope Benedict’s visit in 2010, and Miss Conroy said: “Our style of communication will be very similar." Those interested in becoming speakers are invited to contact Petra Conroy before March 6 at catholiccomment.ie