International Chaplain
Fr. Christopher McCoy

Greetings to all student members, chaplains and friends of IMCS throughout the world!

I am delighted to have this opportunity to introduce myself as part of the  International Team of IMCS. In June 2007 I was appointed by the Holy See to be the new IMCS International Chaplain to replace Fr Mike Deeb who has served the movement so well for the past eight years.

After taking part in the IMCS International Committee in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July 2007, I moved to Paris in the September 2007 to be with Fr Mike for a transition period and to prepare for the arrival of the new International Team.

 I was born in Liverpool in the north of England. I come from a large family. I have six brothers and two sisters. I am a mixture of English and Irish: my fathers ancestors came from Ireland, my mother's family are English.

I was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Liverpool in 1977. The first six years after ordination I spent in parish work. From 1984 till 1990 I worked in Peru with the St James Missionary Society. In 1990 I returned to Liverpool and became a parish priest as well as diocesan chaplain to the deaf. In 1997 I was appointed as full-time university chaplain to two large universities in my home city. In 2003 I became the National Coordinator of University Chaplains in England and Wales. During my time as National Coordinator of chaplains I worked to establish a national network of Catholic student groups across the country. I encouraged this network, called the Catholic Student Forum (CSF) to link with IMCS. The Catholc Student Forum became a member of IMCS-Pax Romana in 2006.

I have much to learn about IMCS and the rich diversity of the different national movements around the world. I hope in time I might be able get to know as many of you as I can.

I am enjoy working with Mehul Dabhi, the President, and Chris Malano, the  General Secretary. A major part of my job as International Chaplain is to support them in their work. I also see as a priority trying to support, encourage and work with chaplains throughout the world as well as connecting with national movements and the regional coordinators.  

May God bless us all,the students, the national movements and regional coordinators, the chaplains and friends of IMCS throughout the world!

Contact: cmccoy@imcs-miec.org