Jakarta (Fides Service) - During their annual plenary meeting held recently in Jakarta, the Catholic Bishops of Indonesia stressed the utility of the media for improving the image of the Church and for spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, Archbishop of Jakarta said: "The rapid change in information technology has created a new culture which can be used to improve the presence of the Church in the world. We have to use the media in a positive way that is for evangelisation. I hope it can also strengthen national brotherhood and unity". The Cardinal, who is president of the Bishops' Conference, said the Church has a duty to educate people about negative effects of media to enable them to understand whether the message portrayed by communications is positive or negative.
During the assembly Bishop Andreas Henrisosanto of Tanjungkarang, head of the Bishops' Commission for Social Communications, urged the bishops to use the media to promote peace and harmony. "We have to change our mindset and direct our attention toward reconciliation and repentance."
The theme of the assembly attended by 38 bishops was "Social Communication Culture in Being Church: Opportunity and Challenge". Good news was reported from Purwokerto diocese, 270 km south of Jakarta, where four radio stations broadcast regularly Church programmes. Other media initiatives include journalism classes and seminars in communications. (Source Ucan/Fides Service 26/11/2002)