Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
AP
Port Moresby (Agenzia Fides) - The media and communication landscape is constantly evolving and a more flexible approach by the Church is needed. "We need to start thinking about creative and innovative alternative media compared to traditional media, it is our responsibility", observed Agatha Ferei Furivai, Director of Caritas Fiji and President of "Signis" of the Pacific region, during the presentation of the Missiology Symposium, from the theme "The Mission in the Media Age and Instant Communication" which was held in recent days at the Theological Institute of Bomana.
"We are in the age of digitalisation and, in Oceania, we are experimenting different experiences of media communication", explains Furivai, referring to the messages of Pope Francis and his predecessors for World Communications Day. The Church, she added, must have an immediate impact as well as greater dialogue with the contemporary world. "In the new "digital age" the Church can keep the world up-to-date on its positions and explain the reasons on any topic or event. We need to listen more closely to the voice of public opinion and start a continuous debate with the world around us, thus involving us immediately in the common search for solutions to the many urgent problems of humanity".
In the note sent to Agenzia Fides, it is noted that there is a need to embrace these new technologies and proclaim the word of Christ, preaching, Christian values and ideologies. "We can use the media to amplify our voices", adds Furivai.
"Over the past 20 years people have learned to communicate differently - she said - through social media platforms we can spread the Word of God. We are all, children, parents, grandparents, community leaders, users and media producers in one way or another. An excellent reason for a collaborative effort between Church and Media". "Young people spend more and more time online and with multimedia tools. Society is heading in this direction and this is where the mission must go", she recalls.
The second session of the meeting focused on the theme: "Justice for Creation is equivalent to justice for humanity". The speakers, including Cardinal John Ribat, MSC, addressed various issues starting from Evangelii Gaudium and Laudato Sì, speaking of "new places of mission", such as urban poverty, climate change, migrants, youth, protection of the oceans and the environment. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 30/9/2019)
