Vatican to host Catholic journalists

(Aug.24,2010) The Pontifical Council for Social Communications has organized an international conference for the Catholic press to focus on the Church's use of the Internet and new media. Council President Archbishop Claudio Celli, said that the big question in today’s social context is - what role will a Catholic radio station and the Catholic television channel play in today’s Church? He said the same question can be asked about the Catholic press. And the topic regards not only the Catholic press,” he explained, “but the Catholic press in the digital age, because everyone already knows that there are many more who read a newspaper via the internet, than buy a copy of the newspaper.” The conference is scheduled for Oct. 4-7. Bishops' conferences have been asked to appoint three delegates from their countries, two experts from the press and one an expert in technologies. Archbishop Celli affirmed that so far, the response has been very positive. He said that until today we have confirmation from 58 countries with the presence of about 180 representatives.
Archbishop Celli noted how Pope Benedict XVI's most recent message for World Communications Day invited consideration of pastoral work in the world of digital culture. The prelate affirmed his expectation that from this gathering there will emerge “answers for the future: what is the mission that the Catholic press must carry out in this present moment, in today’s global context.”