Revamping the packaging

How should we use the new media's language and communication methods for evangelising in today’s fast-paced digital society? This was the challenge being discussed at the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications held earlier this month. Among the participants at the meeting in the Vatican was Father Thomas Rosica, head of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television network. He told Susy Hodges that whilst the gospel message is eternal its packaging needs to be constantly revamped.
“I don’t think it’s the message that has to be changed … it’s the packaging that has to be redone or rethought … and that’s the constant challenge for us, especially for those who work with young people.”

As the head of a Catholic Television Network, Father Rosica says that’s the challenge they face on a daily basis: “we’re telling the old story in new ways every day and making that story appealing, making it understandable …. making it palatable” through the use of “all kinds of modern technology.”

Asked if there is a risk of us becoming too dependent on that modern technology, Father Rosica says that that although the new technology “opens new horizons” it also has its limitations and he warns that: “we must never substitute human contact with machines, with iPhones, iPads , Twitter, email or texting.”
Listen to the interview: