Subject: 'austraLasia' # 376

SALESIANS INVOLVED IN NEW PACIFIC MEDIA INITIATIVE

Julian Fox

SUVA: 13th July -- Given present rumblings and grumblings, and open cracks of dissent in the one peaceful Pacific, or at least the Melanesian part of it, the Conference of Congregational Leaders of the Pacific Islands (CCLPI) forced to abandon its much-prepared for and eagerly-awaited July Assembly, has sought another means to get its message out. The Internet. Obvious really, since the membership of CCLPI is scattered over millions of square kilometres of Oceania, a term adopted by the Vatican since the beginning of Evangelization here last century.

The initiative is housed at Don Bosco House Suva on a computer purchased by CCLPI - who are also paying the online time! Perhaps there could be a marriage or even just a liaison between it and 'austraLasia'! Known as RelPacNews, the e-letter initiative has already gained an impressive response from media outlets around the Pacific, especially since RelPacNews is operating also as a News Agency (RPN) for articles it can be certain are originally written by its membership. There is already a well-known secular agency in the region known as PacNews. The CCLPI version brings a faith dimension and perspective, and gains quick and easy recognition.

Vidimus Dominum, from Europe has added its request along with media centres dotted around 'the pond' (as the Pacific is familiarly known)to be recipients of items from RPN.