Archbishop Martin: media in Ireland, north and south, should give a platform to hope

Archbishop Martin addressing World Meeting of Families Dublin, Aug. 2018. Image: CCO

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office

Tomorrow is Ascension Sunday in the Church's calendar, and also the annual date dedicated to celebrating the message for World Day for Social Communications. 2025 was the final Communications Day message published by the late Pope Francis RIP, which has as its theme 'Share with gentleness the hope that is in your heart.'

In welcoming the Papal message, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, , Primate of All Ireland, who chairs the communications council of the Irish Bishops' Conference, said:

"The 2025 communications day message was published by Pope Francis on the feast day of Saint Francis de Sales on 24 January, the patron saint of journalists. In his short but insightful reflection the late Holy Father has specifically tailored his words to inform the mission of the media, as well as for anyone who communicates in the digital space whether in a personal or professional capacity. Underpinning his message is the importance of infusing 'hope' in communications, and this complements our role as pilgrims of hope during the Church's universal celebration of faith in this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.

"In the context of Pope Francis' message, I encourage all those working in media and journalism in Ireland to consider reporting and publishing opinion articles that offer hope and positivity to this island. There are so many of such stories around our country, North and South, where people bring joy and hope to others - and these acts exemplify the very best of humanity. Yet oftentimes people comment that news feeds only reflect a sense of despair and negativity. We all know that there are countless real-life stories that counterbalance such anguish and hopelessness. I invite reporters to seek out and give a platform to such uplifting stories during this Year of Hope."

Archbishop Martin continued, "in today's communications message the damaging effect of toxic commentary in the media has been called out. Far from being gentle, this is 'characterized by disinformation and polarization … Too often today, communication generates not hope, but fear and despair, prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred.' As an antidote to these circumstances, Pope Francis offered a clarion call for Christians to take risks for hope 'a hidden virtue, tenacious and patient', while not underestimating the effort involved. In doing so, we can collectively achieve the common good - a society filled with hope and that serves humanity to function as a better place for everyone, especially the vulnerable.

"Pope Francis reminded us that it is not an easy task to be a Christian communicator, However, we are assured that the Lord is with us at all times. Accordingly, we have a responsibility to speak up and explain 'the hope that is within us', and how we communicate 'should be steeped in gentleness and closeness', thus modelling 'the greatest communicator of all time, Jesus of Nazareth'."

Archbishop Martin concluded, "Always sensitive to our emotional wellbeing and personal life experiences, Pope Francis reminded journalists in a fatherly, caring way, to be mindful not to neglect 'your heart, your interior life'; 'to be meek and never forget the faces of other people'; 'always spread hope even when it is difficult'; to communicate so as 'to heal the wounds of humanity'; to report the spirit of human perseverance when you see it in the most unlikely of places; to promote a 'culture of care, build bridges'; and, to 'tell stories steeped in hope, be concerned about our common destiny and strive to write together the history of our future'."