‘Communication at the Service of an Authentic Culture of Encounter’

Ahead of World Communications Day, which falls on 1 June this year, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Chair of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Communications speaks about the Pope’s message for this year and the challenge of communicating the gospel in 2014

Why does the Church celebrate bring the message and compassion of World Communications Day? Christ to all those they meet online. World Communications Day is a We have to get out there and spread significant day; in fact it was the only the gospel wherever we are, both in celebration called for by the Second the ‘real’ world and the ‘virtual world’. Vatican Council. It has been celebrated The digital highway is ‘a street teeming each year since 1967 on the Sunday with people who are often hurting, before Pentecost, and this year that men and women looking for salvation falls on the feast of the Ascension, 1 or hope’. By means of the internet, the June. Christian message can reach ‘to the In initiating World Communications ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). Day, Pope Paul VI wanted to draw attention to the enormous potential Is there anything that you find that the communications media has for particularly striking in Pope Francis’ cultural transformation. He saw both message this year? the opportunities to enhance the lives There are a couple of things which of people with values of truth. He also accident. Pope Francis’ message immediately jumped out at me when I recognised the challenge to avoid prompts us to reflect on deeper first read the Pope’s message. Pope spreading ‘less than noble’ ideas, questions, such as ‘Why do we Francis values modern which can demean people. communicate?’ The answer to this communications, for example, he says: World Communications Day question is on one level simple - in ‘The internet, in particular, offers provides us with an opportunity to order to get to know one another, to immense possibilities for encounter reflect on the opportunities and meet other people. Yet, true and solidarity. This is something truly challenges presented by the modern communication is a two-way process good, a gift from God.’ Alongside this, means of social communication (from where we also connect with one he emphasises that communication is newspapers and television to social another at a deeper level; we not an end in itself. He says ‘media media) in the new evangelisation. encounter the other person by listening strategies do not ensure beauty, as well as talking, by being truly goodness and truth in communication. What is the theme of this year’s present to them in order to receive as The world of media also has to be message? well as give. concerned with humanity.’ We need to At the heart of this year’s message We sometimes mistakenly think be alert to this. The heart of our (‘Communication at the Service of an that we have sole responsibility for communication needs to be Authentic Culture of Encounter’) Pope bringing the gospel to the ends of the ‘connecting with’ people. The goal of Francis is inviting us to reflect on what earth. It is helpful to realise that we our communication is to spread the it means for us to encounter others in are not alone. Christ promised that he gospel of Jesus Christ and bring His the light of the Gospel. He makes use will be with us, until the end of time. truth into lives of people. of the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’ We do not have to do everything. Our I also love the language of the to challenge us, in all our task might simply be to bring people conclusion of the message. It offers a communications, to become to Christ and let Him take over. Letting gentle and beautiful challenge from our ‘neighbours’ to one another, and Christ work through us can help Holy Father: ‘Let our communication especially to those who are isolated or produce wonderful results. So maybe be a balm which relieves pain and a excluded in any way. Pope Francis we should look at communication as fine wine which gladdens hearts. May says ‘As I have frequently observed, if facilitating the encounter between the light we bring to others not be the a choice has to be made between a people and Christ – if we can manage result of cosmetics or special effects, bruised Church which goes out to the that we have achieved something truly but rather of our being loving and streets and a Church suffering from worthwhile. merciful “neighbours” to those self-absorption, I certainly prefer the However, this does not mean we wounded and left on the side of the first. Those “streets” are the world can sit back and be passive. As Pope road.’ I was particularly taken by Pope where people live and where they can Francis says, it is not enough to be a Francis’ call: ‘Let us boldly become be reached, both effectively and ‘passer-by’ on the digital highways. I citizens of the digital world. The affectively.’ therefore echo his encouragement to Church needs to be concerned for, and The choice of the word ‘encounter’ people of faith to be present as present in, the world of in the title of the message is no neighbours in the digital media and to communication, in order to dialogue

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You have recently been r d l appointed as Chair of the e The media (and indeed the Bishops’ Conference Council world) seem to be captivated for Communications, what do by Pope Francis – why do you you see as the challenges and think this might be? What has opportunities facing the Church Pope Francis done to capture with regards to communicating the hearts and minds of people? the Gospel in 2014? One aspect that has shone The challenge I suppose would through in his papacy so far is be presenting what may be Archbishop Eamon Martin with winner of UK, joy. It is easy to see where The termed ‘a counter-cultural who was guest speaker at the Joy of the Gospel got its name. Archdiocese of Armagh Faith Awards message’ in what is sometimes Joy and mercy have almost a hostile environment. This become watchwords for Pope challenge is nothing new, as the said to go out into the ‘digital Francis’ ministry. He recognises that if passage in the Gospel of Luke reminds highways’ which are teeming with Christians want people to believe in us, where Jesus says ‘I send you out as people who are searching for the truth the good news they need to have joy – lambs among wolves’ when he is that is found in the gospel. not only in the hearts, but also on their commissioning seventy-two disciples I would love to see a digital faces, as the Holy Father says in one of to travel ahead of him (Luke 10:3). We missionary movement launched from his memorable turns of phrase ‘an are going to be attacked, but that does Ireland, perhaps during the evangeliser must never look like not mean we should shut up shop and forthcoming 14th centenary year of St someone who has just come back from go home – quite the opposite in fact! Columbanus, the great Irish a funeral!’ ( EG , 9) People are still hungry for good missionary. I have in mind the idea of In the early days when the Church news; they want hope and the hope calling people to be online was trying to make its way in a hostile that the gospel provides can still feed missionaries, sailing out into the Empire, many people remarked on the people who hunger for purpose and ‘digital sea’, spreading the gospel on joy and love that they showed, so fulfilment in life. In the short time since the ‘digital continent’ whilst at the much so that people were able to say my appointment as Coadjutor same time joining together in an online ‘Look how these Christians love one Archbishop of Armagh I have met community of prayer and other another.’ That is what is at the heart of thousands of people who see their commitments. Watch this space! what Christianity is all about and faith as a source of inspiration, the something that Pope Francis bedrock on which they build their lives. People often mention social media encapsulates. He must be the most Countless people have asked me to be when speaking about communication photographed Pope ever and he is very with them, to hear their story, to say a today and you have your own Twitter adept at evangelising via these images. prayer for them. People yearn for the account (@ArchbishopEamon), how We see lots of photos of him smiling – good news, about life, family, meaning have you found the world of Twitter? exuding the joy of the gospel, but also in suffering, courage when distressed, I must say I have found it a positive images that are amazingly profound of depth in the midst of so much that is experience so far. One of the things him reaching out and showing love to fleeting and cosmetic in the world. Our that Pope Francis is saying in his people who some might deem challenge is to present the good news message this year is that we need to outcasts, washing the feet of prisoners in a language that is fresh, accessible meet people where they are. And for and of elderly people with disabilities; and merciful - as my episcopal motto many, especially young people, the embracing people as he travels puts it - to sing a new song to the Lord. digital arena is where they are. At the through St Peter’s Square in the Pope Perhaps we are too often focused on recent John Paul II awards in Armagh, mobile. Pope Francis shows us the the global, or even the national, lots of people were tweeting about the gospel in action. picture, that can seem to be all doom awards (or even their selfies with the However, this is not just a show; and gloom; we have to be aware that Archbishop!), but of course the most there is a real depth behind not only much of what happens in the Church important thing is that they were what he says, but also what Pope happens at a local level and many taking part in the awards themselves Francis does. Like Christ he is setting parishes and dioceses are developing a and not just tweeting about it. an example for us to follow, strong presence on the internet, The challenge is how to engage challenging us to reach out to our through web streaming of Mass and these young people as witnesses to neighbour in need and, like the Good other liturgies, sacred prayer spaces ‘give soul’ to the internet, to bring the Samaritan, to come to the assistance of online and engaging with parishioners presence of Christ into the digital those less fortunate than we are. I on social media. These are means of environment. think it is impossible not to be connecting directly with people. I think You might say that one of the challenged by what Pope Francis says it is important for parishes to make use challenges of Twitter is saying and does; he is constantly encouraging of digital platforms to assist their something meaningful in 140 us to become better people and better ministry. Nothing will surpass the characters. Yet when you think about Christians, inviting us to make a face-to-face encounter with people, some of Jesus’ most memorable difference in the world by reaching out but it is important to be present in phrases could have fitted into a Tweet: to those in need, to ‘people who are digital forums, especially with regard the Beatitudes, or some of the short often hurting, men and women looking to young people – as Pope Francis has for salvation or hope’. parables on the kingdom of heaven.

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