Mexican Bishop denounces media’s inaccurate reporting on the Church

Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 20, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Bishop Mario de Gasperin of Queretaro, Mexico, denounced this week inaccuracy in the media concerning information about the Church, saying news reports often lack a proper context and portray the Church as backwards.

Speaking before the celebration of Mass for more than 14,000 people, Bishop Gasperin said, “There is a general deterioration of values, and the Church as an institution has been violently attacked in some media outlets, for example, in regards to the teachings on justice, marriage and sexuality.” 

“The Church is portrayed as backwards, but it’s the other way around, because the Church promotes authentic and true values, the dignity of the person, the stability of marriage, which are the basis of society for the good of society,” he added.

“The Pope has said it very clearly,” he continued.  “The Church is the defender and promoter of man and the dignity of the person, and society should be built up starting from there and not from fads that result from economic or political interests, and that is the battle we face.”

Likewise Bishop Gasperin emphasized, “The Church certainly feels attacked by the media for the way in which news is reported and the context in which it is given, and we see that in many instances disrespect is shown even to the Holy Father, as news is reported in a very unbalanced way.  That’s the way we see it.”

 “The Church is at the service of humanity and society, and she offers the teaching of Jesus Christ, and the truth is it is not easy.  The Church defends the dignity of the person and man’s freedom, but also a freedom which has limits, because these are two different things.  For this reason I believe there is always a conduct and a moderation which all of us should observe.  Of course modern man doesn’t like this, nor does someone who only cares about money, politics or power, and so there is a constant confrontation,” he concluded.