(02 June 10 – RV) Live from St Peter’ Square to New Orleans in the USA. On Wednesday
at the end of his audience Pope Benedict XVI linked up via satellite with participants
at a communications conference in the Southern US city:
He said “The theme
of your meeting, “Spreading the Good News – Byte by Byte”, highlights the extraordinary
potential of the new media to bring the message of Christ and the teaching of his
Church to the attention of a wider public. If your mission is to be truly effective
- if the words you proclaim are to touch hearts, engage people’s freedom and change
their lives – you must draw them into an encounter with persons and communities who
witness to the grace of Christ by their faith and their lives. In this sense, it
is my hope that your days together will renew and refresh your shared enthusiasm for
the Gospel. Notwithstanding the many challenges you face, never forget the promise
of Christ, “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20). Dear friends,
with these few words of encouragement, to all of you gathered for the Convention I
am pleased to impart my Apostolic Blessing”.
The Catholic Media Convention
brings together members of the Catholic Press Association and the Catholic Academy
for Communication Arts Professionals- professionals in the fields of Catholic print
and audiovisual communications, as well as Catholic communications/public relations
directors - for the purpose of spiritual, economic and professional development. Both
organizations present – during the meeting - awards recognizing excellence among their
membership.