Journalists learn how to cover Catholicism

(Sept. 11, 2012) An international seminar aiming to provide journalists with an in-depth perspective of the Catholic Church from the vantage point of Rome commenced this week at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. The objective of the bi-annually held "The Church Up Close" seminar is to offer journalists the tools they need to effectively cover Catholic news stories, allowing them to learn about and experience firsthand the life of the Church under the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. Throughout the week, those participating in the seminar will attend talks given by various professors, historians, diplomats, those working in Church communications, and members of the Curia. In Monday’s opening session, participants heard presentations given by several professors of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Fr. John Wauck, explained that the course is designed to overcome the obstacles imposed by distance on people, who have to write about the Roman Catholic Church. "Nowadays”, he said "it is common for people around the world, including Catholics, to get their information about the Church from secular media. Obviously, secular journalists don't have all the information or theological background that they need to cover Church stories well. The 'Church Up Close' seminar tries to overcome that deficit, to offer journalists – particularly those journalists who are working for secular media – the kind of theological, ecclesiological background and context that is needed for their work. "