The theme for the 2021 World Day of Social Communications, chosen by Pope Francis, echoes the words of the Apostle Philip, recognising that authentic communication leads to “encountering people as and where they are”.
Taken from the Bible, John 1: 46, the words “Come and see” are central to the Gospel. Before the Gospel is proclaimed, prior to words, there are “looks, testimonies, experiences, encounters and closeness. In a word – life.”
This Sunday is World Communications Day - 16 May 2021 - Please pray for all communicators on World Communications Day and please give generously FOR THIS CAUSE. The Communications Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales supports the mission of the bishops to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ. More information: www.cbcew.org.uk
Pope’s Communications Message 2021
Tuesday, May 4th, 2021
The Pope's message for the 55th World Communications Day follows the theme “Come and See” (Jn 1:46) – Communicating by encountering people as they are.
Taken from the Bible, John 1: 46, the words “Come and see” are central to the Gospel. Before the Gospel is proclaimed, prior to words, there are “looks, testimonies, experiences, encounters and closeness. In a word – life.”
This Sunday is World Communications Day - 16 May 2021 - Please pray for all communicators on World Communications Day and please give generously FOR THIS CAUSE. The Communications Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales supports the mission of the bishops to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ. More information: www.cbcew.org.uk
Pope’s Communications Message 2021
Tuesday, May 4th, 2021
The Pope's message for the 55th World Communications Day follows the theme “Come and See” (Jn 1:46) – Communicating by encountering people as they are.
Published, as usual on 23 January, the vigil of the Memorial of St Francis de Sales – patron saint of authors and journalists – the Pope seeks to promote authentic “clear and honest” human communication.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The invitation to “come and see”, which was part of those first moving encounters of Jesus with the disciples, is also the method for all authentic human communication. In order to tell the truth of life that becomes history (cf. Message for the 54th World Communications Day, 24 January 2020), it is necessary to move beyond the complacent attitude that we “already know” certain things. Instead, we need to go and see them for ourselves, to spend time with people, to listen to their stories and to confront reality, which always in some way surprises us. “Open your eyes with wonder to what you see, let your hands touch the freshness and vitality of things, so that when others read what you write, they too can touch first-hand the vibrant miracle of life”. This was the advice that Blessed Manuel Lozano Garrido[1] offered to his fellow journalists.
This year, then, I would like to devote this Message to the invitation to “come and see”, which can serve as an inspiration for all communication that strives to be clear and honest, in the press, on the internet, in the Church’s daily preaching and in political or social communication. “Come and see!” This has always been the way that the Christian faith has been communicated, from the time of those first encounters on the banks of the River Jordan and on the Sea of Galilee.
To read the Pope's message IN FULL https://www.cbcew.org.uk/world-comms-2021-message/
The invitation to “come and see”, which was part of those first moving encounters of Jesus with the disciples, is also the method for all authentic human communication. In order to tell the truth of life that becomes history (cf. Message for the 54th World Communications Day, 24 January 2020), it is necessary to move beyond the complacent attitude that we “already know” certain things. Instead, we need to go and see them for ourselves, to spend time with people, to listen to their stories and to confront reality, which always in some way surprises us. “Open your eyes with wonder to what you see, let your hands touch the freshness and vitality of things, so that when others read what you write, they too can touch first-hand the vibrant miracle of life”. This was the advice that Blessed Manuel Lozano Garrido[1] offered to his fellow journalists.
This year, then, I would like to devote this Message to the invitation to “come and see”, which can serve as an inspiration for all communication that strives to be clear and honest, in the press, on the internet, in the Church’s daily preaching and in political or social communication. “Come and see!” This has always been the way that the Christian faith has been communicated, from the time of those first encounters on the banks of the River Jordan and on the Sea of Galilee.
To read the Pope's message IN FULL https://www.cbcew.org.uk/world-comms-2021-message/
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