Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - More than forty years after the publication of the Conciliar Decree “Inter mirifica”, seeing the rapid development of technology in the field of the mass media, it is opportune to reflect on the challenges posed to the Church by social communications: this is the main reason for the latest Apostolic Letter issued by Pope John Paul II with the title “The Rapid Development” addressed to media operators. The Letter bears the date of 23 January 2005, feast of St Francis de Sales, patron of media workers and was presented to the public on 21 February. In five chapters and 14 points the Letter reflects on the “fruitful progress” in more than 40 years since the Council’s Decree: “the Christian community has taken significant steps in the use of the means of communication for religious information, for evangelisation and catechesis, for the formation of pastoral workers in this area, and for the education to a mature responsibility of the users and the recipients of the various communications media”.
The world of today is rich in communication potential and for many the means of social communications are the main source of guidance and inspiration for personal, family and social behaviour. This is a “a complex problem, because the culture itself, prescinding from its content, arises from the very existence of new ways to communicate with hitherto unknown techniques and vocabulary.” The Pope adds “The mass media can and must promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct vision of human development, by reporting events accurately and truthfully, analysing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum for different opinions”.
In Chapter 2 “Gospel Reflection and Missionary Commitment”, the Holy Father underlines first of all that “the world of mass media also has need of Christ’s redemption”. Salvation History recounts and documents the communication of God with humanity which reached its perfection in the World made flesh. “The Incarnate Word has left us an example of how to communicate with the Father and with humanity, whether in moments of silence and recollection, or in preaching in every place and in every way... There is, however, a culminating moment in which communication becomes full communion: the Eucharistic encounter.” Called to proclaim the Good News of salvation the Church takes opportunities offered by the means of social communications: “We give thanks to God for the presence of these powerful media which, if used by believers with the genius of faith and in docility to the light of the Holy Spirit, can facilitate the communication of the Gospel and render the bonds of communion among ecclesial communities more effective.”
In Chapter 3 the Pope says “in the communications media the Church finds a precious aid for spreading the Gospel and religious values, for promoting dialogue, ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation, and also for defending those solid principles which are indispensable for building a society which respects the dignity of the human person and is attentive to the common good. The Church willingly employs these media to furnish information about itself and to expand the boundaries of evangelisation, of catechesis and of formation, considering their use as a response to the command of the Lord: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15).” In our day sad to say many are convinced that humanity must learn to live in a climate governed by an absence of meaning, by the provisional: this presents a serious challenge above all for parents, families and educators, and those in the Church called to form media operators able to dialogue with the vast world of the media.
Today the Church is impelled to promote “a sort of pastoral and cultural revision, so as to deal adequately with the times in which we live” this must be undertaken especially by bishops and clergy and consecrated persons whose institutional charisma is oriented towards the field of social communications. The Pope then repeats his invitation to insert the media decisively into pastoral programmes. Besides the Internet, which many Christians are using in the work of evangelisation, education, church communication, administration and organisation, “other new means of communication, as well as traditional ones, should be used. Daily and weekly newspapers, publications of all types, and Catholic television and radio still remain highly useful means within a complete panorama of Church communications.”
Recognising that “the mass media constitute a patrimony to safeguard and promote” and they therefore “must enter into the framework of organically structured rights and duties”, the Pope reflects on three fundamental options: formation so the mass media may be known and used intelligently and appropriately; co-responsible participation in their administration; great possibilities of mass media in promoting dialogue and as vehicles for reciprocal knowledge, of solidarity and of peace and fostering understanding between peoples.
The Pope concludes his letter with the chapter “To Communicate with the Power of the Holy Spirit”, in which he says “The great challenge of our time for believers and for all people of good will is that of maintaining truthful and free communication which will help consolidate integral progress in the world…Also in this field, believers in Christ know that they can count upon the help of the Holy Spirit”. To those working in communication, especially to believers involved in this important field of society, the Pope extends the invitation made at the beginning of his ministry as Shepherd of the Universal Church “Do not be afraid!”!”: “Do not be afraid of new technologies!! Do not be afraid of being opposed by the world! Do not be afraid even of your own weakness and inadequacy!” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 22/2/2005; righe 68, parole 921)
