“The theme of next year’s World Communication Day addresses the inherent responsibilities that necessarily accompany modern mass communications as it engages at the new frontier of technology.” Bishop Joseph Duffy, Chair of the Communications Commission of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, welcomed last week 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.
The Message for the 43rd World Day of Social Communications is due to be published on 24 January 2009, Feast of St. Francis of Sales, patron of journalists.
The announcement was made last week on 29 September, Feast of the Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, by Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
In Archbishop Celli's words, with his message for the Day of Social Communications the Holy Father "is presenting us with a true work plan, ...a compendium of commitments and responsibilities that ... those involved in the field of communications are personally called to shoulder, at a time so deeply marked by the development of new media technologies which, in effect, are creating a new environment, a new culture.
"It is clear that the Pope has a certain confidence in the possibilities the communications media can offer; the media can be of great help in favouring a climate of dialogue and trust".
The World Day of Social Communications will be celebrated in almost all countries on Sunday 31 May 2009.
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.”
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.”
The Bishop concluded, “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."
"I look forward to the publication of the Pope's message for the 43rd World Day of Social Communications on 24 January”.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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(Source: CNI)