Radio Maria England has relaunched as Radio Maria United Kingdom, reflecting the Catholic broadcaster’s growing presence across all four nations of the UK.

The station, now also known as Radio Maria UK, said the name change marked the next stage in its mission to serve Catholics and people of faith in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Since launching in Cambridge in November 2019, Radio Maria has grown from a single studio into a multi-location broadcaster. It opened a second studio in London in 2022 and has steadily expanded its DAB+ radio coverage.

The station will continue broadcasting 24 hours a day with programmes intended to promote and express the Christian Faith, support Catholics in their spiritual lives and offer an open door to those who wish to explore the Catholic faith more deeply.

Radio Maria UK is part of the worldwide Radio Maria family, which includes 85 stations across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia-Oceania. According to the broadcaster, the network has nearly 2,000 repeaters worldwide, broadcasts in more than 65 languages and reaches about 700 million listeners.

Each national station operates with independent management while sharing a common religious inspiration and editorial vision. Radio Maria said its model is based on volunteering, listener-funded broadcasting, no advertising and a commitment to avoiding partisan political debate.

Inti Paolucci, president of Radio Maria United Kingdom, announced the change on air on June 1.

He said: “Every step of this journey has been carried by the prayers, the generosity and the faith of people who believed before they had any reason to. Today belongs to them.

“If I have learned one thing serving this mission, it is that God moves faster than our plans. Radio Maria United Kingdom is proof of that.”

Fr Toby Lees OP, who has served as priest director for almost four years, said the new name was “a statement of intent”.

“I am so glad that we have now become Radio Maria United Kingdom, reflecting our desire that this station be an instrument of evangelisation for all of the UK,” he said.

“I hope this will lead to many more speakers and listeners across the length and breadth of the UK, joining in Mary’s ‘Yes’ to the invitation of salvation in her Son.

“We live in an impoverished media landscape with a diminished version of what the human person can be – I am delighted that Radio Maria UK will preach the fullness of life in Christ to all those in the UK who thirst for more but do not yet know that the ‘more’ is life in Him.”

Rebecca Coyne, operations coordinator, said the relaunch was “a moment of great joy”. She said: “Radio Maria England becoming Radio Maria United Kingdom is a moment of great joy for me, as it reflects our mission to reach more people with the Good News.

“Growing the reach of the radio station will allow us to serve listeners across the United Kingdom more fully, by bringing Christ into more hearts.

“I am continually encouraged by the testimonies we receive, which show how deeply Radio Maria is touching and changing lives. It is a blessing to see this mission grow and I look forward with hope to all that lies ahead.”

Radio Maria UK remains a non-profit organisation operated by professionals and volunteers, including lay people, clergy and Religious. It can be heard on DAB+ digital radio in a number of areas, through smart speakers, the Radio Maria Play app, its website and podcast platforms.