Catholic Church's 41st World Communications Day

(May 19, 2007) The Catholic Church is marking the 41^st World Communications Day on Sunday, May 20, on the theme "Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education." In a message for this year’s observance, Pope Benedict XVI has called for cooperation among media, parents, schools and parishes to protect children from harmful programming and to educate them in choosing their entertainment wisely. The Pope’s message was released on Jan. 24, months ahead of the actual observance, to allow bishops' conferences, diocesan offices and communications organizations sufficient time to prepare programmes for national and local celebrations. In his message the Pope said that media professionals, prior to offering violent or sexually explicit films, cartoons and video games as entertainment for children or teens, should ask themselves how young victims of abuse and exploitation would view such products. While acknowledging that most media professionals try to do what is right, he said they often are forced to compromise because of financial pressures. Instead, he said, "Children exposed to what is aesthetically and morally excellent are helped to develop appreciation, prudence and the skills of discernment." The pope called on the media "to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human rights and promote respect for the needs of the family." The Catholic Church’s World Communications Day is marked in most countries, on the recommendation of the bishops of the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost.