|
Social communication
(23)
160. "The first
areopagus of the modern age is the world of communication, which is unifying
humanity... The means of social communication have become so important as to be
for many the chief means of information and education, of guidance and
inspiration in their behaviour as individuals, families and within society at
large".(24) For this reason, in addition to the numerous
traditional means in use, the media has become essential for evangelization and
catechesis.(25) In fact, "the Church would feel herself guilty
before God if she did not avail of those powerful instruments which human skill
is constantly developing and perfecting... In them she finds in a new and more
effective forum a platform or pulpit from which she can address the
multitudes".(26)
In this respect, the following can be
considered: television, radio, press, discs, tape recordings, video and audio
cassettes, Compact Discs, as well as the entire range of audio-visual
aids.(27)All of these media offer a particular service and everybody
will have his own specific use for them. It is therefore necessary to
appreciate their importance and to respect their demands.(28) In every
well planned catechesis, such aids cannot be absent. Reciprocal assistance
between the Churches, so as to defray the rather high costs of acquiring and
running such aids, is a true service to the Gospel.
161. Good use of the media
requires of catechists a serious commitment to knowledge, competence, training
and up to date use of them. But, above all, because of the strong influence of
the mass media and culture, it must be remembered that "it is not enough
to use the media simply to spread the Christian message and the Church's authentic
teaching. It is also necessary to integrate that message into the "new
culture" created by modern communications... with new languages, new
techniques and a new psychology".(29) Only by this, with the grace
of God, can the Gospel message have the capacity to penetrate the consciousness
of all and obtain a personal acceptance as well as a complete personal
commitment.(30)
162. Those who work in the
mass media, as well as those who make use of them should be able to receive the
grace of the Gospel. This should cause catechists to consider particular groups
of people: media professionals to whom the Gospel can be pointed out as a great
horizon of truth, of responsibility and of inspiration; families—who are so
much exposed to the influence of the media—for their defence, but more so in
view of a growing critical and educational capacity; (31) the younger
generations, who are the users and creative subjects of mass media
communications. All are reminded that "the use of these instruments by
professionals in communication and their reception by the public demand both a
work of education in a critical sense, animated by a passion for the truth, and
a work of defence of liberty, respect for the dignity of individuals, and the elevation
of the authentic culture of peoples".(32)
|