Chris Docherty, who has been youth officer at the Archdiocese of Glasgow since October 1995, leaves his post this week to retrain as a teacher of Religious Education.

During his time at the Archdiocese, Chris has contributed greatly to the shape of youth ministry in Glasgow and is well known to many young people through retreat work in secondary schools and a great number of initiatives throughout the Archdiocese to engage young adults.

As we approach the 26th World Youth Day in Spain, it is with some sadness that Chris will not journey with us, since he has become a bit of a veteran at these events leading pilgrimages to Paris (1997), Rome (2000); Toronto (2002); Cologne (2005) and latterly Sydney in 2008.

Some of the highlights of his work at the Archdiocese have included the procession of the World Youth Day Cross through Glasgow and his involvement in uniting young people at Bellahouston for Pope Benedict’s visit in 2010.

As well as his work in the Archdiocese, Chris has served as secretary to Catholic Youth Services Scotland, organising among other things, the National Youth Event which takes place in November each year.

Chris is a pleasure to work with and his presence will be missed by his colleagues at the Youth Office. However, we are delighted that Chris is moving just a side step into Catholic Education and wish him well in his studies and the continuing influence he will have on young people!