Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - Pope Benedict sent a message on the occasion of the Congress on Catholic Television being held in Madrid, 10-12 October in which he affirmed "it is necessary without fear of technology, to promote with intrepid hope and faith a joyful, creative and professional presence in television. We must be co-workers of the truth so as to offer the Good News of Our Lord in the multiple formats of audiovisual media, while also witnessing to the beauty of creation." The message written by Cardinal Bertone Secretary of State on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI was addressed to Archbishop John P. Foley president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in Madrid to preside the Congress. The Pope says the Congress "an excellent occasion for interpersonal dialogue and direct engagement between participants from around the world, who, united in the same ecclesial communion, seek to respond to those challenges that contemporary society presents to the disciples of Christ". He also underlines the importance of unity between the Holy See and the Bishops." It is necessary, therefore, that there be a great unity between the Holy See and the local hierarchies in order to inspire and support the various television companies, and those that will develop in the future, helping them to remain faithful to their Catholic identity while preserving their diverse styles, sensibilities and cultural characteristics".
Leading Church members at the Congress, besides Archbishop Foley, include Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, archbishop Madrid, Cardinale Antonio Cañizares, archbishop of Toledo; Cardinale Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, archbishop of Santo Domingo; Cardinal Bernard Agré, emeritus archbishop of Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire; the secretary of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, and many other bishops from different countries.
Bishop Eugenio Romero Pose, Auxiliary of Madrid in his intervention on the Traits of Catholic Television recalled that "the essential mission of the Church is the evangelisation of all nations and peoples" and therefore "the presence of Catholics in the media is urgent. The answer is to give new contents to new means. New contents are the permanent and definitive Good News of Christianity, the Catholic identity". Lurdinha Nunes, Cançao Nova Television, Brazil, spoke of experience of communicating the faith in a multi religious context. Silvia Pellegrini, from the Pontifical University of Chile, gave a talk on "The cultural impact of TV: danger of living in a reflection ". Silvia Costantini of Sat 2000 Italian Bishops TV, spoke on the topic of a Programme Bank “an important resource, point of reference for Catholioc TV” and the need to enhance “cooperation and reciprocal support for the growth of the sector of Catholic TV in the world”.
In the afternoon of the first day participants took part in workshops on a variety of themes "Cattolics in TV"; "TV and pastoral"; "Professionalism and formation"; “TV business"; "Organisation and contents of Catholic TV"; "Attractive programmes"; “different formats of Catholic TV”; "Technology in the daily life of television". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/10/2006; righe 19, parole 284)
