Subject: VISnews 120124
Organization: VIS
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY SECOND YEAR - N. 17
ENGLISH
TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY 2012
SUMMARY:
- Presentation of Message for World Communications Day
- Silence and Word: Path of Evangelisation
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
PRESENTATION OF MESSAGE FOR WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY
VATICAN CITY, 24 JAN 2012 (VIS) - A press conference was held this morning
in the Holy See Press Office to present Benedict XVI's Message for the
forty-sixth World Day of Social Communications, entitled: "Silence and Word:
Path of Evangelisation". Participating in today's conference were Archbishop
Claudio Maria Celli, Msgr. Paul Tighe, Msgr. Giuseppe Antonio Scotti and
Angelo Scelzo, respectively president, secretary, adjunct secretary and
under secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
Archbishop Celli recalled how, "each year in his Message for the World Day
of Social Communications, the Pope has sought to analyse the culture of
communication, offering guidance to modern man and directing the pastoral
activity of the Church. Over recent years the Pope has been very attentive
to the process and dynamics of communication, especially in the context of
the cultural transformations that have arisen as a result of technological
progress".
This year, however, "the Holy Father turns his attention to a 'classic'
aspect of communication: 'silence'; or rather, the pairing of 'silence and
word'. This aspect ... is becoming increasingly important in the context of
digital culture", noted the president of the pontifical council, going on to
explain how Benedict XVI focuses upon the importance of silence as part of
authentic communication. Silence can be a vehicle of expression, it gives
others the chance to speak and us the opportunity to listen, think and
reflect, the archbishop said. "In essence, it is in silence that I am able
to give communication its correct significance, and to avoid being
overwhelmed by the sheer volume of communication itself.
"Silence has particular importance in the context of that incessant flow
of questions which, in a certain sense, is the driving force of modern
communication culture", he added. The Pope suggests "that at the heart of
this flow of questions lies a fundamental question, which is the search for
Truth. Here again the importance of silence emerges, as a place where human
beings must face themselves and God". In silence mankind discovers "the
possibility to speak with God and about God". For this reason Benedict XVI
reminds people engaged in the task of evangelisation that "both silence and
word are essential elements, integral to the Church's work of communication
for the sake of a renewed proclamation of Christ in today's world".
CON-CS/ VIS 20120124
(390)
SILENCE AND WORD: PATH OF EVANGELISATION
VATICAN CITY, 24 JAN 2012 (VIS) - Today's Feast of St. Francis de Sales,
patron of journalists, marks the World Day of Social Communications, and the
Holy Father's Message for the Day, entitled: "Silence and Word: Path of
Evangelisation" was made public this morning. Ample excerpts from the
English-language version of the text are given below.
On this "World Communications Day 2012, I would like to share with you
some reflections concerning an aspect of the human process of communication
which, despite its importance, is often overlooked and which, at the present
time, it would seem especially necessary to recall. It concerns the
relationship between silence and word: two aspects of communication which
need to be kept in balance, to alternate and to be integrated with one
another if authentic dialogue and deep closeness between people are to be
achieved".
"Silence is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words
rich in content cannot exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to
and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth. ... By
remaining silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or
herself; and we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without
them being adequately tested. In this way, space is created for mutual
listening, and deeper human relationships become possible. ... When messages
and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to
distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary.
Deeper reflection helps us ... to make evaluations, to analyse messages;
this makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving
rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge. For this to happen, it is
necessary to develop an appropriate environment, a kind of 'eco-system' that
maintains a just equilibrium between silence, words, images and sounds.
"The process of communication nowadays is largely fuelled by questions in
search of answers. Search engines and social networks have become the
starting point of communication for many people who are seeking advice,
ideas, information and answers. ... Indeed, people today are frequently
bombarded with answers to questions they have never asked and to needs of
which they were unaware. If we are to recognise and focus upon the truly
important questions, then silence is a precious commodity that enables us to
exercise proper discernment in the face of the surcharge of stimuli and data
that we receive".
"Ultimately, this constant flow of questions demonstrates the restlessness
of human beings, ceaselessly searching for truths, of greater or lesser
import, that can offer meaning and hope to their lives. Men and women cannot
rest content with a superficial and unquestioning exchange of sceptical
opinions and experiences of life - all of us are in search of truth".
"Attention should be paid to the various types of websites, applications
and social networks which can help people today to find time for reflection
and authentic questioning, as well as making space for silence and occasions
for prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God. In concise phrases,
often no longer than a verse from the Bible, profound thoughts can be
communicated, as long as those taking part in the conversation do not
neglect to cultivate their own inner lives. It is hardly surprising that
different religious traditions consider solitude and silence as privileged
states which help people to rediscover themselves and that Truth which gives
meaning to all things. The God of biblical revelation speaks also without
words: 'As the Cross of Christ demonstrates, God also speaks by His
silence".
"If God speaks to us even in silence, we in turn discover in silence the
possibility of speaking with God and about God. ... In speaking of God's
grandeur, our language will always prove inadequate and must make space for
silent contemplation. Out of such contemplation springs forth, with all its
inner power, the urgent sense of mission, the compelling obligation 'to
communicate that which we have seen and heard' so that all may be in
communion with God".
"In silent contemplation, then, the eternal Word, through Whom the world
was created, becomes ever more powerfully present and we become aware of the
plan of salvation that God is accomplishing throughout our history by word
and deed. ... This plan of salvation culminates in the person of Jesus of
Nazareth, the mediator and the fullness of all revelation. He has made known
to us the true face of God the Father and by His Cross and Resurrection has
brought us from the slavery of sin and death to the freedom of the children
of God. The fundamental question of the meaning of human existence finds in
the mystery of Christ an answer capable of bringing peace to the restless
human heart. The Church's mission springs from this mystery; and it is this
mystery which impels Christians to become heralds of hope and salvation,
witnesses of that love which promotes human dignity and builds justice and
peace.
"Word and silence: learning to communicate is learning to listen and
contemplate as well as speak. This is especially important for those engaged
in the task of evangelisation: both silence and word are essential elements,
integral to the Church's work of communication for the sake of a renewed
proclamation of Christ in today's world".
MESS/ VIS
20120124 (890)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 24 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Herve
Gaschignard, auxiliary of Toulouse, France, as bishop of Aire et Dax (area
9,364, population 362,827, Catholics 261,000, priests 153, permanent deacons
14, religious 211), France. He succeeds Bishop Philippe Breton, whose
resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father
accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
NER:RE/ VIS 20120124
(70)
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