'CM.' Reporter ABC Television's training scheme for those appearing in religious services, reported last week in THE CATHOLIC HERALD, will start next year when 12 Catholic priests will have a one-week course at the ABC Studios at Didsbury, Manchester, from June 18-22.
As much as 20 per cent. of the total ABC week-end programme (Midlands and North ITN) is of a religious nature with a potential audience of five million people.
As mentioned last week, Mgr. George Tomlinson and Fr. Michael Hollings will organise the Catholic section of the training with ABC and will choose priests with original ideas.
"We want everybody to give us ideas," Fr. Hollings said this week. "We want to explain the Mass, not just show it on the TV screen: we want the right type of religious drama: we want ideas on how to present doctrine.
The scheme, which has been welcomed by the Archbishop of Westminster. will later include training for laymen.
`Edinburgh' award
Eighteen-year-old Alan Wilkinson, of Pilgrim Road. North Kensington, went to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to receive the Gold Standard Award in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme for encouraging enterprise and initiative among the youth of Britain. Forty-nine boys qualified for the award. An apprentice surveyor, he attended Gunnersbury Catholic Grammar School.
Monaco gift
Prince Rainier of Monaco has presented the Pope with a gold and crystal table clock which shows the time in every part of the world, symbolising the universality of the Church.