Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - “Today communications is taken as the first aeropagus of the modern world, which is unifying humanity and turning it into a global village. Thus, we as Catholic Communicators we expect and want to promote and make effective cooperation for peaceful and integral development of our continent,” said Bishop Alfred Kipkoech Arap Rotich, Military Ordinary for Kenya and Chairman of the Social Communication Commission, Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC), in his opening remarks at a seminar on forming a Catholic information agency for the continent of Africa.
As the agency CISA explains, the seminar that began today, August 31, in Nairobi and will end on September 2, was organized by the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) in collaboration with Catholic Media Council (CAMECO).
In his opening talk, Bishop Rotich said the communicators have to provide information that will make people take the right decisions about how to respond to conflicts and challenges. He also urged the Catholic communicators to collaborate, network and hold regular meetings and training sessions.
Bishop Rotich highlighted the dangers of a world of information dominated by technology, that runs the risk of undermining human values. “We live in a world that is increasingly interconnected, a global society of communicative interactions, exchanges and sharing of information that stimulate profound cultural transformations. The term global village has come to represent merely technological advancement while leaving behind global human relations.” He cautioned that we should not forget the dangers resulting from the misuse of these powers.
Fr. Janvier Marie GustaveYameogo of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications said, “There are multiple common initiatives existing all over Africa. News services such DIA and CISA have been doing a lot. But there are very little interactions and no collaboration between these initiatives. This situation of fragmentation is our biggest weakness...as a church we need to share our stories through networking.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 1/9/2010)
