Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Cardinal has been able to express the voice of the Church firmly and with balance, with an “extraordinary and communicative sensitivity that expresses a genuine respect for the public, that is to say, the people and published opinion” said Professor Norberto Gonzalez Gaitano in his Laudatio Address on the motive behind the Pontifical University’s conferring an Honorary Doctorate degree in Communications to Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome.
In his opening address, the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria recalled the strong historical link that has always existed between the Church and the communication world. Saint Josemaria Escriva, promoter of the University of the Holy Cross, had already seen in the 40s, with his ethics courses that would later become the school of journalism, the fundamental role of professional standards, Christian ideals, and love for the truth in the communication world.
Four specific reasons were given for the recognition received by Cardinal Ruini: the cultural project, geared towards a Christian meaning, especially in terms of the Italian Church, of which he has been a strong promoter since 1994; his fidelity to the living identity of the Institution, for his union with the Vicar of Christ, first John Paul II and now his successor; his optimism and his “frank, open, serene, and constant smile”; his spirit of initiative in communications and the role of the laity, the basis of new projects such as SAT 2000, the SIR Agency, RadioInBlu, and the re-designing of the newspaper Futuro.
In the Lectio magistralis, gathering from his long experience, Cardinal Ruini recalled that early on he had realized the need “for the Church herself to improve and develop her own capacities to be present in the communications world, to reveal her true face and bring her message into the public forum.” Social communications is important, but it is not enough. The most effective way continues to be that of personal and direct contact and relationships. The communicator must have a clear message and a great professional standard that should be learned through study and practice. Lastly, Cardinal Ruini dedicated one last observation to the need for the communicator to seek holiness in the midst of his work, without seeking his own personal satisfaction alone. During the ceremony, Professor Alfonso Nieto also received an Honorary Doctorate for having been the first professor in Europe dedicated to university studies in communication. (PC) (Agenzia Fides 10/4/2008; righe 34, parole 415)
