Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quebec (Agenzia Fides) - The International Catholic Union of the Press is holding a World Congress 2007 from 3 to 10 June in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada on the theme "Media ad religion: risk or opportunity?". The UCIP Congress, held every three years, offers media operators who live and work in very different social, cultural and economic contexts the opportunity to reflect and network together. The theme is derived from the fact that religious events today are commented daily by the media.
Each day of the Congress has its own sub theme for reflection and discussion: "The media and the construction of present day religious phenomena ", "Ethics and awakening the social conscience of the media ", "Media and religion: risk or opportunity? A summary". On Friday 8 June there will be the UCIP plenary assembly.
A key speaker at the Congress Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications said in his address, "It is absolutely necessary to have committed Catholics in the field of communications, not as a fifth column to infiltrate in hostile territory but as a group of convinced believers who can and should bring Christian and Catholic values to their professional life.". He said he hoped that UCIP would remain a Catholic organisation with members more deeply formed in their faith and inspired by their faith. "They will and indeed must co-operate with those of other faiths or even of no faith for the common good, but the organisation is and must remain Catholic, also if it is to remain faithful to its name". Archbishop Foley said he hoped UCIP and its affiliated organisations in countries around the world might provide programs for the spiritual and professional formation of Catholic journalists. "I hope - he continued - that UCIP's Network of Young Journalists might flourish as young people are encouraged in their faith and in their professionalism to maintain the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct". Recalling media operators killed, injured or intimidated in their work, many of the Catholics he said the International Catholic Union of the Press should inspire its members to be willing to suffer and even to die for the truth, including religious truth. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 6/6/2007; righe 23, parole 331)
