Pope’s message 43^rd World Communications Day

(January 23, 2009) Marvelling at the extraordinary potential of today’s new digital communication technologies, Pope Benedict has urged that these means be used to promote understanding, solidarity, friendship and human dignity. “These technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavour to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human individuals and communities, especially those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable,” said Pope Benedict in his message for the Catholic Church’s the 43rd World Communications Day which this year will be marked on May 31. The Pope’s message was released at a press conference in the Vatican on Friday. The theme for this year’s observance is "New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship." Speaking about the efficiency and speed of new technologies, such mobile phones, computers and the internet, Pope Benedict encouraged those active in the emerging environment of digital communication to commit themselves to promoting a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship, always striving to respect the dignity and worth of the human person. “If the new technologies are to serve the good of individuals and of society,” he said, “all users will avoid the sharing of words and images that are degrading of human beings, that promote hatred and intolerance, that debase the goodness and intimacy of human sexuality or that exploit the weak and vulnerable.” One danger of the new technologies, the Pope said, would be an obsessive desire for ‘virtual connectedness’, which he said, while isolating individuals from real social interaction also disrupt the patterns of rest, silence and reflection that are necessary for healthy human development. He also said that it would be a tragedy for future of humanity if the new instruments of communication were not made accessible to those who are already economically and socially marginalized. Pope Benedict concluded by encouraging young Catholics to take on the responsibility for the evangelization of what he termed as the "digital continent", by announcing the Good News of God to their contemporaries with enthusiasm.