Fides Media Living the Faith
By Sunny A. Ijoamh
The Catholic Church last Sunday, celebrated the 57th World Communications Day, with a call on media workers to always communicate the truth all the times.
At the Holy Mass celebrated to mark the day at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Callistus Onaga, in his homily, presented Pope Francis’ message on the Theme: ”Speaking with The Heart, The Truth in Love”.
The Bishop said the central idea was to see how the Church could communicate the truth, while describing the message of the Pope as essential, especially in Nigeria.
‘When we speak the truth with love, the miracle of encounter is made because everybody will understand it if it is done with lov
‘Communicating with love is for everyone to speak the truth with charity. You don’t abuse people. We keep our tongues from speaking evil. With our tongues, we bless God; with the same tongue we curse people. It’s a kind of contradiction. Good conversation can build bridges,’ he said, while advising journalists not to make relationship toxic.
‘Don’t make relationship toxic. Something that is toxic is poisonous. Communication helps people to easily reflect the reality in which they live. Communication should always come from the heart and should show love.
‘Communication from the heart is for everyone, media workers, families, leaders. People, when communicating, should communicate with love and respect,’ he said.
The Prelate urged journalists to communicate with open heart and mind, speak the truth with respect, and be mindful of how they used their tongues.
‘We need communicators who are open to dialogue. Continue to tell the truth. Don’t depend on hearsay. What should be communicated should be able to resolve misunderstanding and bring peace.
‘In order to speak well, it is enough to love well. We should also communicate our anger with love,’ the cleric advised.
He said that the Holy Father, Pope Francis said that communicators who were open to dialogue were needed, noting that true peace could be found in mutual trust.
Bishop Onaga advised journalists to be factual in their reportage and desist from all forms of propaganda.
In his keynote address on the topic, ”The Place of Uncompromising Truth in Nation Building and Development, the Undisputable Role of the Communicators”, the Head of Mass Communication Department, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Ifeanyi Didiugwu, advised that people should deviate from doing anything that would affect the sensibility of the people.
The Professor noted that development would thrive when the truth was communicated with respect and everyone did the right thing.
In his presentation, Rev Fr, Prof. Innocent Ebere Uwah of the Department of Film and Multimedia Studies, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, spoke on the topic, ”Truth In Love (Eph 4:15) Import and Value of Pastoral Communication in the Salvific Mission of Church”.