The media challenge to the Church

IN a pontifical university in Rome, a new course is offered to help the Church to more effectively tackle the many challenges of our days and thus to meaningfully flow with the times.

It’s a course on communication, aimed at training both priests and lay people, especially those working in Church communication offices, to ably engage the world of media in the pursuit of Church objectives.

The late Pope John Paul II has described the media as the new Areopagus, referring to the Greek market place of ideas of olden times where men freely discussed issues and argued their points among themselves.

As such the media cannot and should not be ignored. In fact, they have to be dealt with seriously, knowing their nature and their ways, and entering into a healthy relationship for the mutual benefit of both Church and the media.

We all know that the media figure prominently in informing people and in clarifying issues and problems as they arise. The media, in fact, are now an indispensable tool in the formation and nourishment of a people’s culture.

That’s why the Church cannot be left in the sidelines as important world developments are also at least being reflected in the media. It has to give its due contribution, a very crucial one at that, since it works on the ethos of the people.

The Church is often described as the soul of the world, and its work may be
compared to that of a leaven. It is supposed to be the salt and light of the world. And it cannot do these roles from time to time only, but always and in all situations.

The Church’s contribution is always significant and relevant. Rich in history, including its dark episodes, and in doctrine and culture, and pulsating in its daily life of liturgy, spirituality and pastoral work, the Church always has something to say to the media.

Yes, there is a need for discretion and prudence, but there is also a need for the Church to talk always. We just have to learn how to combine both needs properly. That’s precisely why there is need for some professional training in this regard.

The Church, more than anybody else, has greater reason to have access if not to actively participate in the media world. The media cannot be left only to things ephemeral and mundane. They need the contribution of the Church.

This course on Church communication will certainly improve the Church’s participation in the media from being a mere provider of press releases, making announcements about Church events, to being an active agent of public opinion.

It hopefully will make Church communicators to be pro-active rather than passive, defensive and laid-back. It will help them to go beyond the amateur level, always expecting privileges and other special treatment, and to work in a very professional way, quite aware of the complexities of the job.

Fact is we are now living in a pluralistic and complex world. The Church cannot afford to just dish out simplistic press releases. Antiquated formulas also have to be revised and updated if not rejected to give way to more appropriate modern ones.

It has to learn to give prompt commentaries to events and issues properly, that is, with prudence and correctness. Thus its personnel should attain a certain level of competence, always underpinned by an indispensable spirituality.

Their training should include not only the knowledge of techniques but also
a good grounding in Church doctrine and a keen sense of timing. They should be clear in the distinction between doctrine and opinion, between what is the Church’s and what is simply theirs.