VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI chooses theme for World Communications Day 2008: “The media: at the Crossroads between activism and service. Seeking the Truth in order to share it with others ”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The media: at the Crossroads between activism and service. Seeking the Truth in order to share it with others", is the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the 42nd World Communications Day. In a communique released today Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, writes that such a theme "calls on us to reflect on the role played by the media and especially the increasing risk of their becoming self-absorbed and no longer tools at the service of truth - something which is meant to be sought and shared." The Pontifical Council for Social Communications, prepares study documentation and a liturgical support on the theme to be distributed to Bishops' Conferences and international Catholic media organisations.
In many countries, World Communications Day, the only world day established by Vatican II (Inter Mirifica, 1963) - says the communique issued by the Holy See Press Office, is celebrated as suggested by Bishops all over the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost, 4 May in 2008. The Pope's Message for World Communications Day is traditionally made public on 24 January, the feast of St Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2007; righe 16, parole 219)