Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Trichur (Fides Service) – “The Bishops of India are reflecting on the theme ‘Church and Social Communications’ because in the present social-political scenario the Christian community is faced with difficult challenges: certain sectors of society are targeted and nationalist-fundamentalists use the media for propaganda. India’s Christians realise the urgent need to have a voice in order to make known the authentic image of the Church in India” Reverend Babu Joseph Karakombil, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India CBCI holding its General Assembly in a Trichur, Kerala, 7 to 14 January told Fides
“On the one hand we see the media make enormous technological progress and the need to keep up with the times; on the other we realise we must have more impact in this field which has a crucial role in social, political and religious matters and in forming opinions. Hence the theme chosen by the Bishops for their assembly during which they will discuss plans, identify challenges for future commitment of the local Churches in this important field ” Father Karakombil told Fides.
About 150 Bishops are in Trichur for the meeting as well as priests, sisters and committed laity. The meeting is chaired by Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios of Trivandrum of Syro-Malabar Catholics, CBCI President. Also present the Nuncio in India, Archbishop Lopez Quintana, and from Rome Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches and Archbishop John Patrick Foley President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
In the opening address, referring to the fact that India has the second largest population in the world (more than one billion), Archbishop Foley highlighted the great responsibility of Catholic Bishops to sustain the faith of millions of Catholics and to proclaim the Good News to all those who have yet to encounter Christ. Referring to Aetatis Novae (Pastoral Instruction Pontifical Council for Social Council 22 February 1992) Archbishop Foley urged the Indian Bishops to elaborate a communications plan “to include close cooperation with projects which highlight the Church’s work in the field of education and charity”, in order to underline that although a small minority in India, Christians have contributed greatly to the nation and they continue to do so. The Archbishop recalled that India’s film industry is one of the most active in the world and he encouraged the production of films on the presence of Christianity in India to show how it has always been and will continue to be important for the development of the nation.
Other speakers during the assembly will include Catholic media workers and leaders of lay Catholic groups working in society and politics.
(PA) (Fides Service 8/1/2004 lines 42 words 428)
