Bishops urged to use media for evangelisation

Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, stressed the importance of the media yesterday. In a speech entitled 'Bishops and the use of the media' addressed to for bishops who have been ordained less than five years ago who speak French, Spanish or Portuguese he said: "Listening to the Good News of Jesus Christ is the most important type of communication that human beings can receive; 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? 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." He said: "we communicate the Good News of Christ through the positive work that the Church does in His name" and through the media. After recalling that the pastoral instruction "Aetatis novae" on communication was published in 1992, Archbishop Foley said that this document "suggests that a pastoral plan for communication develop in each diocese and that communication be part of pastoral plans." Referring to radio and television programs and to print publications, the archbishop emphasized the importance of a high quality product. "That mark of high quality must come from our authenticity, our credibility as representatives of the Gospel of Christ." Source: VIS