Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - A Concelebration of Mass in the German College Church inside Vatican City on Monday March 8, opened a four day Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. The Mass was presided by presided by Cardinal Eugênio de Araújo Sales, Archbishop emeritus of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of the Council’s first members. The theme for reflection this year is "'Inter Mirifica': forty years on". "Inter Mirifica" is the title of the decree issued the Second Vatican Council on the means of social communications. It was promulgated on December 4, 1963 by Paul VI. On April 2, the following year with the Motu Proprio "In fructibus multis" Pope Paul VI instituted the Pontifical Commission for Social Communications with the task of dealing with problems of cinema, radio, television periodical and daily press with regard to the interests of the Catholic religion.
With regard to this year’s plenary, Archbishop John P. Foley, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications since 1984, said: "We asked Members and Consultors of the Pontifical Council to speak about the most significant events, in their opinion, in the world of social communications in the past forty years and to express a “dream” they would like to see realised in this field in the next ten years. The Plenary interventions, later published, will serve as basic documentation for celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary both of 'Inter Mirifica" and the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. The Plenary will also discuss a draft document on: 'Spirituality and Cinema'". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2004 - Righe 19; Parole 245)
