CHURCH COMMUNICATION, IDENTITY & DIALOGUE
Is it possible for those who work in communication offices in the Church to promote free and open dialogue, without compromising the teaching, identity and mission of the Church?
Pope Benedict XVI has said that any “dialogue must be rooted in a mutual and sincere searching for truth” (World Day of Social Communications, 24.V.2009). So what are the essential elements that must be present in an effective and open dialogue which sincerely seeks the truth?
For communication to be effective there must first be a clear and well-defined message, which reflects the essence of the institution. This identity, when understood correctly, is not a limit, but a source of strength. Communicators within the Church are constantly faced with the challenge of transmitting it to a wide and varied audience, both inside and outside the Church.
This situation raises serious questions. Is having a clear identity an obstacle to dialogue? Can the rationality and beauty of the Christian faith be communicated in a convincing and positive way? How can the voice of the Church avoid sounding reactive? How can we communicate the faith as a cause of authentic human fulfilment, positive ideas, creativity, and as a source of cultural and social development? How can we transmit ecclesiastical information to a secular audience in an accessible manner that does not dilute the Christian message?
The 7th Professional Seminar held by the Office of Communications of the Church, seeks to answer these questions and more, by offering an analysis of the present cultural moment in relation to the evolving trends in Institutional Communication. The Seminar is an opportunity for communication professionals from different countries and cultures to share experiences and exchange ideas.