PAPAL PLEA: HOMEWARD BOUND, IN FRIENDSHIP
World Communications Day
Message
Julian Fox
In a succinct and heart-warming statement, the
Holy Father has released his message for the 33rd World Communications Day (16th
May). His theme: that Mass Media be a friendly presence to anyone in
search of The Father.
Drawing on his recent
encyclical Fides et Ratio, the philosopher pope makes the point that all human
beings are seekers. Some just seek in the wrong place! Their
ultimate goal is truth, which is God himself. He refers himself to all of
humanity in a message which is carefully inclusive in its language, when he
hopes for an increased responsibility on the part of the media to witness to
life's truth, to human dignity, freedom and interdependence.
The notion of friendship he explores at several levels - that
of cooperation, of course, especially in the light of the mutual incomprehension
which can characterize the relationship between church and media. John
Paul II acknowledges the divergent approaches of both but addresses the divide
with practical paths for 'friendship and dialogue' (just as any two friends
might have to seek what is complementary in their differences). The
Church's cultivation of memory can save culture from the transitory nature of
many media messages; the Church steeped in wisdom can help avoid information
which is a mere accumulation of facts, and so on.
The Pope looks with great hope to the new millenium, confident
that there will be people in the Church, in the media, who will ensure that the
promise of deeper communication, indeed communion, will prevail over the threat
of alienation and ego-centredness, both of which the media can lead
to.
He concludes with a prayer that is reminiscent of the
Salesian's 'Nel Caso Del Padre' (Italian title of a commonly used Salesian
prayer book): "May all those working in the world of social communications
know the joy of divine friendship so that knowing God as friend they can be
friends to all men and women en route to the Father's home - to whom be honour,
glory, praise and thanks with the Son and Holy Spirit forever and
ever".