The following comes from a Feb. 2 press release issued by Christian Newswire. Christopher Check is the brother of Father Paul Check, executive director of Courage, the Catholic organization for those with homosexual desires.

Catholic Answers, the largest apologetics and evangelization apostolate in North America, has appointed Christopher Check, formerly director of development, to succeed Karl Keating as the organization’s president.

Keating founded Catholic Answers in the eighties as a response to challenges to Catholic belief posed by Protestant fundamentalists and other groups. What began as a part-time ministry run from his home grew into an internationally recognized apostolate with a team of apologist-speakers, a daily radio show, a press and magazine, and an internet presence that includes www.catholic.com, one of the most visited Catholic websites in the world.

As he handed over the reins, Keating expressed excitement for the future of Catholic Answers under Check’s leadership, calling the succession “the fulfillment of a longtime wish.” He praised Check’s “wide experience, deep knowledge of history, and deeper love for the Church,” and said he has known for years that Check would be “the right man to take Catholic Answers to the next level.”

Check, a former Marine Corps officer who joined Catholic Answers as development director in 2012 after nearly twenty years with the Rockford Institute, said he is humbled by the opportunity before him.

“I cannot imagine building something as magnificent as Catholic Answers and then handing it over,” he said. “I am grateful beyond words for the confidence shown to me. By the grace of God, Catholic Answers will continue its great work, continue to grow, and bring more souls to the fullness of the truth.”

Keating will remain with Catholic Answers as senior fellow, and said he plans to devote more time to writing and speaking.