Signis India elects new president

(February 24, 2011) Sunil Lucas was elected president of Signis India, a Catholic movement for professionals in the communication media, during its national assembly in Kolkata earlier this month. Archbishop Lucas Sircar of Calcutta welcomed the news as “the right direction for the Church in India.” Let more young lay men and women take on responsibilities in the Church, he said. Lorens D’Silva, a SIGNIS official, said Lucas is the first layman to head Signis India, an association recognized by the Indian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Lucas, 44, who is based in Kolkata, makes documentary films for Church NGOs, associations and institutions. He began his career as a photographer in 1984 and made his first documentary in 1989. His mission during his three-year term as president would be “to involve the laity in taking responsibilities in the Church” and “collaborate with the clergy in evangelization and to promote Christian values,” he said. With 300 members, Signis India is the largest body in the Signis family that includes members from 140 countries. As the “World Catholic Association for Communication,” Signis brings together radio, television, cinema, video, media education, Internet, and new technology professionals.