That,
in effect, was the gist of the 10-page speech made by the director of Vatican's
press office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, before the Spanish bishops' conference recently.
It summarized his vast experience and many insights he gained over so many years
of working with the media.
In
other words, he was saying that in spite of the many aspects and requirements
of media work that need to be integrated as smoothly as possible, one should not
forget that the main and underlying interest of the Church in media is to spread
the truth, to evangelize and to build up greater communion.
His
views certainly deserve to be studied well and learned thoroughly. Everyone in
the Church involved in media work, from the parish to the diocesan levels and
beyond, would do well to make them a guiding light.
The
Church cannot and should not be lagging behind in making use of the tremendously
advanced technologies that now greatly escalate media's reach and scope. With
them, a lot can be gained for the good of the Church.
In
fact, Fr. Lombardi said that Catholic media should be an ethical model for the
secular media by promoting peace, justice and a vision of an integral human development.
Yes, dear, it's about time that those in this task have this clear and deep understanding
of their work.
That's
a heavy and dynamic responsibility, requiring constant renewal and creativity,
prudence and passion. But as long as those involved have the necessary attitude
and continuing training-nothing less than being holy and competent-there's no
question that they can hack it.
If
these conditions are met, I believe that not even the worst scenario that the
Church can get enmeshed in, as in handling big, screaming scandals involving high
ecclesiastics, can undermine the Church's credibility, her true nature and purpose.
With
these conditions, the Church, in spite of her members' sins and defects, big and
small, can still remain radiant and beautiful, ever able to function well in her
continuing work for human redemption.
I'd
like to highlight some of Fr. Lombardi's views which I think are relevant to our
local Church situation. Among them are the following:
-
"We must always try to favor understanding and dialogue between different
positions and different people and not accentuate the opposition. We must be able
to 'live' the tensions with patience, including the price of being criticized.
- "We
must always use with determination a respectful, balanced and non-aggressive language
towards others, capable of inspiring serenity of judgment and mutual understanding."
When
I read these words, I was reminded of high Churchmen who shamelessly violate this
indication. With high-calibered language, they intemperately take partisan positions
in political and social issues, pouring sarcasm all over the place and carpet-bombing
their opponents with ridicule.
It's
not just a matter of ruffling some people's feathers that often is unavoidable
in expressing opinions. There seems to be a systemic perversity in pulverizing
those in the opposite side.
It's
truly a sad spectacle, brutal, ugly and completely unfit for Church officials
to do. I remember my mother telling me, no matter how right I may be in my views,
I have no right to be ill-mannered in expressing them or in dealing with others.
I have always tried to follow that principle.
Fr.
Lombardi also said that "the truth must always be told, even in the face
of difficult questions. When a question deserves an answer it must be given without
waiting."
Wow!
That's tough. But I agree with it. While discretion is also needed, it should
not be an excuse for not doing one's work punctually and misreading the people's
right to information.
Another
aspect of media work that Church personnel should give special attention to is
the personal touch they should have when doing business with those in media. They
have to avoid being officious, cold, even cavalier in their dealings. They have
to learn to be very human, warm and personable.
Even
if certain protocol has to be followed, and some steps and systems of communicating
have to be pursued, the human need for cordiality and true friendship should never
be neglected.
Charity,
which generates true communion in the Church, never departs, with God's grace,
from this level, despite our differences.
**********
Fr. Roy Cimagala
is the Chaplain of Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE) in Talamban,
Cebu City. You can email him at:Email: roycimagala@boholchronicle.com | 
