Theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s Message for World Communications Day 2007 ‘Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education’

29 Sep 2006

PRESS RELEASE

29 SEPTEMBER 2006

THEME OF POPE BENEDICT XVI’S MESSAGE

FOR WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY 2006

Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education

“Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education” is the theme chosen by
Pope Benedict XVI for the 41st World Communications Day 2007.

“The theme chosen by our Holy Father for World Communications Day underlines
the needs for parents and educators to realize the important formative influence
of the media in the lives of children”, said Archbishop John P Foley, president
of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, the department of the Holy
See which prepares study materials and liturgical aids on the theme for
distribution to bishops’ conferences and international Catholic communications organisations.

World Communications Day, the only world wide celebration called for by the
Second Vatican Council (“Inter Mirifica”, 1963), is marked in most countries,
on the recommendation of the bishops of the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost
(in 2007, May 20).

The announcement of the theme is customarily made on September 29, the Feast
of the Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, who has been designated as the
patron of those who work in radio.

The Holy Father’s message for World Communications Day is traditionally published
in conjunction with the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, patron of writers
(January 24), to allow bishops’ conferences, diocesan offices and communications
organisations sufficient time to prepare audiovisual and other materials for
national and local celebrations.

ENDS

Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)