PRESS RELEASE
29 September 2010
Bishops welcome Pope Benedict’s theme for World Communications Day 2011
‘Truth, proclamation and authenticity of life in the digital age’
The theme for the 45th World Day of Social Communications is “Truth, proclamation and authenticity of life in the digital age”. The full text of the message will be published on 24 January 2011, Feast of St. Francis of Sales, patron saint of journalists.
A communiqué today from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in Rome explains that the theme is “to be understood as focusing on the human person who is at the heart of all communicative processes. Even in an age that is largely dominated, and at times conditioned, by new technologies, the value of personal witness remains essential.
“To approach the truth and to take on the task of sharing it”, the note adds, “requires the ‘guarantee’ of an authenticity of life from those who work in the media, and especially from Catholic journalists; an authenticity of life that is no less required in a digital age.
“Technology, on its own, cannot establish or enhance a communicator’s credibility, nor can it serve as a source of the values which guide communication. The truth must remain the firm and unchanging point of reference of new media and the digital world, opening up new horizons of information and knowledge. Ideally, it is the pursuit of truth which constitutes the fundamental objective of all those who work in the media.”
Welcoming today’s theme Bishop Brennan said “World Communications Day is a very important date in the calendar of the Universal Church as it was the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council. The theme which Pope Benedict has chosen reminds us of the many challenges which new media brings, and, of the importance of truth as the central and only reference point in all communications media.”
Bishop McAreavey concluded “We look forward to reading the full text of Pope Benedict’s message when it becomes available in January. For the Church in Ireland our challenge is to avail of the opportunities which new digital media presents to us in terms of communicating the Gospel message.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Bishop John McAreavey and Bishop Denis Brennan are co-chairs of the Council for Communications of the Irish Bishops’ Conference.
- The 45th World Day of Social Communications will be celebrated on the Sunday before Pentecost Sunday which in 2011 falls on Sunday 5th June
- Previous themes addressed by Pope Benedict in his messages for World Communications Day have been:
| – 2006: The Media: A Network for Communication, Communion and Cooperation – 2007: Children and the Media: a Challenge for Education. – 2008: The Media: At the Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service. Searching for the Truth in order to Share it with Others – 2009: New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship – 2010: The priest and pastoral ministry in a digital world: new media at the service of the Word |
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer 087 310 4444
