Bishop Joseph Duffy, Chair of the Communications Commission of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, welcomed today the announcement that Pope Benedict XVI has dedicated the 2009 theme for World Day of Social Communications to: "New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship." Bishop Duffy said: "The Holy Father's dedication of next year's World Communications Day to: "New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship" is timely and an opportunity for public discourse on this very important topic.
Significantly, the theme addresses the inherent responsibilities that necessarily accompany modern mass communications as it engages at the new frontier of technology.
"A constant theme of Pope Benedict is evangelisation through the media. Regarding new technology, in recent years, the Church in Ireland has incorporated the internet into its communications suite, so that now, parishes, dioceses and religious orders have established dedicated websites to promote the mission of the Church and the Good News generally.
"But we must mindful too of the dark side of technology use. As Cardinal Brady suggested last week when launching the new website for the Bishops' Conference www.catholicbishops.ie: 'The positive and negative aspects of the internet are two sides of the same coin: Used constructively, its potential contribution to the common good is limitless. However, its cynical use, as a vehicle for exploitation, especially of children, and to attack and destroy generally, also makes the internet a potentially hostile place.'"
Bishop Duffy continued, "As next year's theme suggests, with new technology comes the requirement for new relationships. Concerning the relationship between the Church and the media, while both promote differing cultures, I believe that each can flourish and coexist in an atmosphere of truth as long as this relationship is underpinned by respect, dialogue and friendship.
"World Communications Day is an important date in the calendar of the Universal Church and it was the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council. Whether as media producers or media end-users, we are all stakeholders in this influential sector.
Accordingly, as Catholics, we should be ever vigilant when it comes to supporting or challenging positions taken by, or via, the media, especially if such positions hold implications for the mission of the Church."
Bishop Duffy concluded: "I look forward to the publication of the Pope's message for the 43rd World Day of Social Communications on 24 January 2009, the Feast of St Francis of Sales, the Patron Saint of journalists."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce
(Source: ICN)