Catholic Church and Mass Media

Catholic Church and Mass Media

By the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the Catholic Church was becoming quite enthusiastic about the opportunities afforded by the media. Documents used terms such as "marvelous technical inventions" (1963) and "gifts of God" (1971). This last quote was contained in a landmark document called Communio et Progressio ('Instruction on the means of social communication') by the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, founded by Pope Paul VI. It is directed both at those who work within the media and at recipients of messages through the media. The professionals are reminded that they have a responsibility to express the dignity of the human being and to serve truth in their productions and publications. The document also urges Christians to help "bring to the fore a Christian point of view on all questions that exercise people in society" (n. 103). 

The decree on Social Communication Inter Mirifica was one of the very first two documents promulgated by the Second Vatican Council on December 4, 1963. More than 40 years after the final promulgation by Pope Paul VI on December 4, 1963. One might see Inter Mirifica in a different light. One has to admit that the Council Fathers in their decision to reduce the document to its essentials but at the same time asking for a more extensive pastoral instruction to be worked out by professionals was a wise move. This pastoral instruction “with the help of experts from various countries” was published as Communio et Progressio on May 23, 1971 in order to “ensure that all the principles and rules of the Council on the means of Social Communication be put into effect” (Inter Mirifica, 23). This instruction which was endorsed and approved by Pope Paul VI therefore must be considered as integral and interpretative part of the Council Decree.

-The decree itself sees the use of the modern means of communication as being already included in the teachings of Jesus Christ to share the faith with all the world (Mt. 28, 18). From here the decree states that it is the birthright of the Church to use and own these means of communication for her pastoral activities. Such a stand has consequences for all pastors as well as lay members of the Church (IM, 3). From such a conviction flows the need to keep and develop the moral order within which the media are to operate and used according to the circumstances but also the conscience of those involved (IM, 4-5). The right to information as a moral right and part of human dignity is confirmed; art and moral law as well as the presentation of evil are addressed (IM, 6-7). The role of Public opinion is underlined, but also the responsibilities of recipients, communicators and civil authorities are mentioned (IM, 9-12).

In 2012, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI surprised the world by joining Twitter. Behind the scenes, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications provided instrumental guidance for Church leadership in the use of new and popular mediums of communication, leading the Pope himself into this new and exciting platform for social communication. The Pontifical Council for Social Communications is the Vatican’s department for handling social communications, from newspaper to radio and from television to internet. This collection provides the official writings of this dicastery, laying a ground work for a Catholic understanding of social communication channels and guiding the decisions of the leadership of the Catholic Church in the use of new instruments of communication. Most importantly, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications explores new ways in which the gospel can be distributed through new and emerging social communication channels.