Diocesan Communications Director, Message Editor Is Named

Bishop Charles C. Thompson has appointed Tim Lilley as the diocesan director of Communications and editor of the Message, according to Tim McGuire, diocesan chief operating officer.

Lilley’s first day is expected to be July 1. He replaces Rick Jillson who resigned at the end of May.

 “Tim has a wealth of experience in many different communications areas, including newspaper editing, social media and public relations,” McGuire said.

Of his new appointment, Lilley said, “I am very happy to join the Evansville diocesan community.

“Pope Francis, just a few days into his pontificate, met with thousands of journalists who traveled to Rome for the Papal Conclave, urging them to communicate ‘the trinity of truth, goodness and beauty.’

“That trinity exists in every corner of our diocese, and we in the Communications Office will continue to focus on it in meeting our primary mission – communicating the good news of Jesus Christ to the people of southwestern Indiana.

“I look forward to visiting parishes across the diocese and to walking this faith journey in Evansville. I ask for your prayers and promise that you will have mine.”

Lilley is a cum laude graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

He has served as a senior writer and communications associate at The Maximus Group in Woodstock, Ga., and as a director of public relations for the Quality Deer Management Association in Athens, Ga.

He also served as a managing editor for the Dominion Post in Morgantown, W.Va., and as a public relations manager at Tracker Marine in Springfield, Mo.

He was a managing editor for The NCAA News, and the sports information director for West Virginia University.

In 2005 his book “Ultralight Fishing,” was published by Creative Publishing International.