Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Yesterday, October 14, 2008, at the Vatican headquarters of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, an agreement was signed between CELAM (the Latin American Bishops’ Council) and the company “Telefonica Española.”
The agreement, which was signed under the auspices of the Pontifical Council, through the Information Network of the Church in Latin America (RIIAL), awards CELAM the title of “preferred client” in cellular and regular telephone and Internet usage, with advanced technology and reduced prices. This will serve as a model for other similar situations, freely established by the Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean, which will be handled individually.
Signing on behalf of CELAM was its President, Archbishop Raimundo Damasceno Assis and for “Telefonica,” Mr. José Antonio Álvarez Pallete, President of “Telefonica Internacional.” Also present were Mr. Iñaki Urdangarín, Counselor for “Telefonica Internacional,” Javier Delgado, Technician Secretary General, and Manuel Echánove, General Director. Archbishop Claudio M. Celli, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, was the host for the event.
Later, in “Casa Santa Marta,” located in Vatican City, more information was given about the accord to the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean who are participating in the Synod of Bishops on “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.”
The objective of this initiative is not only to lower the costs of communication for Catholic institutions, but also include the many communities that exist without many resources, who even today continue having problems in finding access to and in participating in daily social dialogue with modern technologies. Facilitating this access means multiplying the number of people who can benefit from the wealth of culture and social participation. Lastly, and also within the agreement, various different Catholic institutions have been invited to participate in the Project “Interactive Generations,” which focuses on protecting the youth and children through a responsible use of the new technologies, including Internet, cell phones, television, and video games.
The state of permanent mission that has been established by the bishops since the Fifth Conference in Aparecida (Brazil), and which was officially launched at the American Missionary Congress in Ecuador, also needs the means and instruments in order to help pastoral agents carry out their mission and live in ecclesial communion. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2008)
