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".
