U.S. bishops seek support for communications campaign

Washington D.C., Apr 20, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) wants to make certain that the Good News is part of the media experience for families in the United States. That is why the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops launched its annual campaign yesterday to raise funds for local and national communications efforts.

The theme of the 2004 campaign is “How the Good News Gets Around.” 

"By supporting the Catholic Communication Campaign members of the faithful

assist the Church in its mission to sustain the faith of viewers and listeners across our nation," said Bishop Gerald Kicanas chairman of the USCCB Communications Committee. "The CCC offers many useful tools to help parents enrich their children's lives.”

The campaign coincides with World Communications Day, May 16, which has as its theme "The Media in the Family: A Risk and a Richness."

In his statement for World Communications Day, Pope John Paul II urged parents to educate their children about media by teaching critical viewing skills and regulating use of media in the home.

"The Holy Father reminds parents that they are the primary and most important educators of their children and the first to teach them about the media," said Bishop Kicanas.

Created by the U. S. Bishops in 1978, the CCC supports efforts in radio, print, video, television and the Internet. Fifty percent of the funds collected remain in each diocese, enabling it to broadcast masses for the homebound, to support the diocesan newspaper and to produce TV and radio programming. The campaign also supports national TV programming, such as the documentaries “Church without Borders” and “Never Far From God: Portraits in Ministry” and “The Face: Jesus in Art.”

A collection will be held May 16 in many dioceses.