Church opens to the digital age

pathways, May 09

 

 

1992 Pastoral Instruction on social communications, Aetatis Novae

 

These (digital) technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavour to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human individuals and communities, especially those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable, says Pope Benedict XVI in his message for the 43rd World Communications Sunday which will be celebrated in Australia on Sunday, May 17.

 

In New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship, the Pope appeals to young Catholics to "bring the witness of their faith to the digital world".

 

He concludes: Human hearts are yearning for a world where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. Our faith can respond to these expectations: may you become its heralds! The Pope accompanies you with his prayers and his blessing.

 

 

 

Recognising the mission focus of media and communications work and the opportunities and challenges of the digital age, the congress, under the auspices of the Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation, took the theme "Throw open the doors ..." (Col 4:3).   [Bishop Peter Ingham, left, is the media representative on the commission.  Several of bishops attended throughout the congress.]

 

A packed program featured local and international speakers as well as time for formation, reflection and encouragement.

 

Headlining the presenters was Mr Tom Peterson, the founder and president of the successful US Catholic media outreach programme Catholics Come Home and Virtue Media (sanctity of life media messages).

 

Sister Hilda Scott OSB from the Benedictine abbey at Jamberoo, NSW, and Ms Varcha Sidwell, the producer of the hit ABC programme, The Abbey, held the audience captivated as they explored the very personal blessings received and challenges encountered when an ancient, enclosed religious order reached out to people through the television and internet.

 

Australian Catholic University Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven in speaking on the place of the Church in the public debate - which he strongly advocated -  appealed for the Bishops to adopt a strategic, pro-active approach.

 

Director of the Australian Catholic Office for Film sand Broadcasting Dr Richard Leonard SJ gave an insightful and often funny presentation as he passionately encouraged participants to know and engage with the world - the marketplace - into which they are taking the message.

 

Archbishop Mark Coleridge (Canberra-Goulburn) drew on his vast experience of both the Church and the media - he was media spokesman for the Archdiocese of Melbourne for several years - in a discerning address on  proclaiming the Word in the soundbite world.

 

Other speakers included Father Tom Rosica CSB (via video), the head of Canada's Salt and Light Television  - set up by the Canadian bishops as a result of Toronto hosting World Youth Day in 2002 - who spoke on media and evangelisation, and Mr Mike van Niekerk, Fairfax Digital editor-in-chief who presented a fascinating array of statistics and trends from the digital world.

 

good company (above right): (from left) Varcha Sidwell, producer of the ABC Compass series The Abbey, Sisters Veronica McCluskie SGS, the executive officer for Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia, Hilda Scott OSB, one of the "stars" of The Abbey,  Patty Fawkner SGS, a Good Sam counsellor and international guest speaker Tom Peterson, founder and president of Catholics Come Home.

 

 

from the Vatican:  the chairman of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications Msgr Claudio Maria Celli  delivers a message to the congress dinner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dinner companions:  guests and participants sharing a dinner table are (from left) congress master of ceremonies Dominic Byrne (managing editor, Together, Wagga Wagga), Janette Mentha (The Far East, Melbourne), chairman of the Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation Archbishop John Bathesby (Brisbane), keynote speaker Tom Peterson, USA, ABC chief political correspondent and dinner speaker Chris Uhlmann, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto (Canberra) who was principal celebrant at the congress Mass at St Patrick's Church Hill, and president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Archbishop Philip Wilson (Adelaide)

 

 

good company:  Penny Edman
others, Alphonsus Fok and Grace Lu