Bishops consider revamping their communications model

Last updated on: June 15, 2012 at 4:54 pm by CNA Daily News

Bishops consider revamping their communications model 2012-06-15T16:54:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Atlanta, Ga., Jun 15, 2012 / 10:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City encouraged his fellow bishops to make use of new communications methods in proclaiming the unchanging truths of the Catholic faith.

“The challenges of this moment in communications technology are a boundless opportunity for evangelization,” he said, if the bishops are willing to both “speak and listen.”

Bishop Wester observed that in an age of significant, rapid and ongoing change, “the world of newspapers has been turned upside down” and new devices are transforming “how we communicate.”

“The truth of our faith has not changed,” the chairman of the communications committee for the U.S. bishops’ conference said. “But the people of our dioceses are living in a new world.”

Bishop Wester delivered a report at the spring general assembly of the bishop’s conference, which was held June 13-15 in Atlanta, Ga. He explained that the bishops’ communications committee has been examining how the New Evangelization should look in the modern world.

This involves identifying the best overall communications practices, developing digital content to meet the needs of different audiences and striving to build a “culture of innovation,” he said.

Resources aimed at “Catholics living their vocations in secular environments” must make use of everyday language, symbols and practical applications, Bishop Wester explained.

This means that the bishops need to adopt a “new business model” for their communications work, he said.

“We all acknowledge that communication in the digital world goes both ways,” he said. In the “age of transparency,” online news and resources are expected to allow for readers to reply digitally.

While the bishops’ conference will continue to produce print products, it will also make increasing use of video, e-books and the Internet, he noted.

Among the conference’s efforts in this area is the launch of an e-book version of the Catechism and the building of a TV studio with the ability to receive a satellite feed from the Vatican. In addition, a new social network has been created exclusively for the bishops to share information among themselves.

The vital importance of communicating with major media outlets was also discussed during the meeting.

Bishop Wester said that the conference is “sharpening” its media relations efforts. As a part of that plan, the bishops are considering the possibility of choosing a spokesperson for the conference who is available for immediate comment on important issues.

This could be an important communications development, they emphasized, because every second counts in responding to important national events, and the current process required to issue a statement – which sometimes takes a day or two – is often too long.

In a world where the “new platforms of communications are continually shifting,” the bishops cannot meet present and future challenges “without embracing a culture of innovation and experimentation in communications,” stressed Bishop Wester.

He explained that while the paradigm shift may initially be uncomfortable, the Church can adjust to the new tools of the day, just as it did when film was introduced as a tool for evangelization.

“We have to be in the digital conversations, and we have to listen as well,” he said.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

June 15, 2012

Vatican's new project dives into sports ethics

Next Post

June 15, 2012 US bishops appreciate reprieve for some immigrants

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I am an offering without defect, completely burned on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. What am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A grain offering A peace offering A burnt offering A sin offering