(April 30,2008) Catholic Church communications officials from around the world are
meeting in Rome 28-30 April for a conference on how to spread the Church's message
in an era of crisis and controversy. The conference, "The Sixth Professional Seminar
for Church Communications Offices," organized by the Pontifical University of Santa
Croce Rome has about 300 participants from 55 countries. The Pontifical University
of the Holy Cross is an institution in Rome for research and study in the ecclesiastical
sciences. The three-day seminar is specifically organized for communications personnel
of dioceses, bishops' conferences and other Church institutions. About ten Indian
students from the Roman Pontifical Universities are participating in the Conference
which occurs once in two years."Church communications personnel need to address numerous
controversial issues, including public discussions about the family, protection of
the needy, and respect for religious freedom," said Diego Contreras, president of
the organizing committee. Besides meeting with the pope at the general audience on
Wednesday, the participants will have a tour of the Vatican Press Office and meet
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Spokes Person of the Holy Father and Director of
Vatican radio, on 30 April.