Communication on three lines

The Assembly of diocesan delegates was held in Madrid, February 18-20, organized by the Bishops’ Commission for Social Communication (Cemcs) of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference (CEE). "The Communication of faith in the horizon of the new evangelization" was the theme chosen for the event, introduced by Monsignor Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. For Monsignor Celli, "Catholic media would not be credible if it didn’t address themes such as sin, abuses, weaknesses and mistakes inside our community". At the same time "it wouldn’t be objective nor would it be fair to omit events and facts where the Spirit is constantly present". For the prelate, "Catholic social communication accepted this challenge" and traditional media workers "did a good job by developing a constant presence in the digital environment, obtaining the necessary convergence to upload their contents on the web". Monsignor Celli told diocesan delegates: "One of the major tasks of Catholic media is to help the Church find a language that is appropriate to the field of communication created by new technologies and social networks". Gigliola Alfaro, for SIR Europe, asked José Gabriel Vera, director of the CEE Secretariat for Social Communications, to draw a balance of the meeting. Which of the aspects emerged during the assembly of diocesan delegates do you deem most interesting? "One of the most important aspects that emerged during the meeting is the need to know Christ and the Church in order to serve her in the framework of communication. On the one side there is the centrality of Christ, in the awareness that from Him stems our mission to proclaim the Gospel, ‘the founding act’ of Church communication. On the other side there is the Church. Personal, close and authentic knowledge of the Church is critical to the act of being at the service of Church communication. On a practical and professional plane, one of the reflections focused on the need of keeping pace with digital technology for diocese periodicals and publications. In this framework were presented a set of proposals and we plan to devote a day’s meeting to this theme".During the meeting were also presented the communication experiences of some Spanish dioceses: which of them do you consider exemplary? "I would like to mention three experiences: first, the project of the diocese of Barcelona, already active, which incorporates the codes QR and AR (enabling access to an infinite amount of web information from mobile phones) in the diocesan magazine ‘Full Dominical’. The incorporation of the AR code in our publications facilitates access to a set of indispensable platforms. The second experience is with the radio of the diocese of Teruel-Albarracín, that broadcasts Church religious programs with adolescents, which enter the realm of the Church while learning radio broadcasting with a live program. Third, the cultural movie project of the diocese of Ciudad Rodrigo (in the district of Salamanca), one of the smallest in Spain with a film production company that featured projects such as ‘Evangelion’ or the latest film, ‘A forbidden God’ on the Claretian Martyrs of Barbastro". Are there plans for a joint project by dioceses in the field of communication? "It wouldn’t be feasible. The mission of the Commission for Social Communications is to animate the pastoral of social communication and provide support to the delegations. At present, a global communication project is not within our reach. For the time being we hold meetings to promote the cooperation of delegates at diocesan or provincial level. Perhaps in the future a joint project will be the fruit of this cooperation".Do you consider the information on the life and thought of other European Churches, in particular CCEE and COMECE useful? "I managed to gain a deep understanding of the work of CCEE and I was impressed by its proportions. A lot of effort is placed in proposals, triggering initiatives, consolidating networks and relations that are always important in Europe’s varied ecclesial landscape. I believe it was called to carry out a great mission".