Effective use of media essential for evangelization, Vatican official tells bishops

Vatican City, Sep 6, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said during a seminar for bishops today that "the effective use of the media is essential for evangelization and for the episcopal ministry in today's world."

Archbishop Foley’s speech entitled "Bishops and the use of the media," was given to bishops who have been ordained less than five years and speak French, Spanish or Portuguese.

"Listening to the Good News of Jesus Christ is the most important type of communication that human beings can receive,” said the Archbishop, “therefore, our first responsibility is precisely to communicate this news in the most effective way possible.”

“How can we communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ?” he asked, “Obviously with good example, through the preaching and teaching of the basic truths of faith, knowledge of the Bible and by helping people to pray, through the positive work that the Church does in His name…and through the media.

Archbishop Foley said that the 1992 document "Aetatis novae" on communication "suggests that a pastoral plan for communication develop in each diocese and that communication be part of  pastoral plans."

He concluded by stressing the importance of high quality media products, in film, TV, radio or print: "That mark of high quality  must come from our authenticity, our credibility as representatives of the Gospel of Christ."