Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Archbishop Claudio Celli, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, has sent a Message to all those who serve the Church in the area of communications in Latin America, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron of America and to whom the RIIAL constantly renews its consecration, especially “now that the bishops have launched the continental mission which will radically orientate the present and future pastoral activity of our communities.”
Moreover, this year, Archbishop Celli says, “the Catholic Church lived a very important moment this year during the synod on the 'Word in the Life and Mission of the Church'.” This synod “has reminded us vividly that God has revealed himself to us fully as Love in Christ, and that every evangelizing mission is communication, as is the Church herself.” Thus, it is up to all “to be expert communicators of that Word which we have received in our hearts.”
However, the President of the Pontifical Council says, we find ourselves, precisely, in a process of acceleration never before seen. In fact, “the mass media no longer acts in isolation; it is intertwined and boosts, in the virtual world created by the Internet, even the small screens that receive and send contents from every home and even from the palm of the hand. Including in social sectors with considerable needs, the use is multiplied of the mobile telephone as a new window to social dialogue.” All these are realities that affect us and that should lead us to “ act as bridges between generations: those that were born and grew up in the world of the word and text, and the so-called 'digital natives'.” “The Church does not succumb to the fascination of technology itself, no matter how attractive it is, but neither does she fear that fruit of human creativity, so worthy of appreciation.” Thus, following the example of St. Paul of Tarsus, who used the media of his time, “we assume in each case the appropriate technology without being enslaved, with liberty and courage, acting as agents of meaning and servants of our brothers in this new culture.”
He concludes with an appeal to all those working in this area of communications, asking that they establish a network of links of collaboration with other Church initiatives, recalling that “integration among us does not mean uniformity, but the beautiful and multiple harmonization of our efforts.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/12/2008)
