FOREWORD

Dear Archbishops/ Bishops /Fathers /Sisters/ Friends,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ!

This year, India Communications Day will be celebrated on Sunday, Nov. 18. This celebration offers the Church an excellent opportunity to sensitise the faithful on the importance of communications today. You could kindly recall what the CBCI General Body Meeting '04 had said: “Communications Day is a valuable opportunity to sensitize the community, the Sunday before the feast of Christ the King should be celebrated as 'India Communications Day' with a meaningful liturgy and relevant programmes.” (CBCI GBM, n. 16) Hence, CBCI Commission for Social Communications seeks your cooperation in this work.

You are aware of the growing importance of the modern communications media and their profound influence on children and youth. That's why, the theme of the World Communications Day 2007 is: "Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education".

To help our Church personnel and the faithful to celebrate the day meaningfully, we are happy to send you the following:

• The message of the Holy Father for the World Communications Day '07.
• Liturgical notes for the Communications Day Eucharistic Celebration.
• Multi-coloured posters for display in churches and institutions.

A few suggestions to celebrate the “India Communications Day” meaningfully:

• Celebrating Communications Sunday with a meaningful liturgy during all the Masses, involving wherever possible media professionals and artistes.
• Organising a Study Session on the theme of the day for media persons, communicators, artistes, writers and social activists.
• Holding a get-together for media persons (journalists, writers, publishers, artistes, cable operators, news agencies etc.) of the place and if possible, by awarding a couple of them for their outstanding service to society.
• Encouraging organisations/institutions to hold competitions like quiz, poster-making, skit etc. for children and youth on gainful use of media.
• By identifying and encouraging talented children and youth to improve their skills in writing, singing, dramatizing, painting etc.

Let us do our best in making the church in India, a truly Communicating Church!

With kind regards and best wishes,

Abp Oswald Gracias
Commission Chairman

Abp Leo Cornelio, SVD
Bp Godfrey de Rozario, SJ
Commission Members

Fr Henry D'Souza
Executive Secretary

Message of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI
For the 41st World Communications Day

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. The theme of the Forty-first World Communications Day, "Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education", invites us to reflect on two related topics of immense importance. The formation of children is one. The other, perhaps less obvious but no less important, is the formation of the media.
   
   The complex challenges facing education today are often linked to the pervasive influence of the media in our world. As an aspect of the phenomenon of globalization, and facilitated by the rapid development of technology, the media profoundly shape the cultural environment (cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter The Rapid Development, 3). Indeed, some claim that the formative influence of the media rivals that of the school, the Church, and maybe even the home. "Reality, for many, is what the media recognize as real" (Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Aetatis Novae, 4).
   
   
2. The relationship of children, media, and education can be considered from two perspectives: the formation of children by the media; and the formation of children to respond appropriately to the media. A kind of reciprocity emerges which points to the responsibilities of the media as an industry and to the need for active and critical participation of readers, viewers and listeners. Within this framework, training in the proper use of the media is essential for the cultural, moral and spiritual development of children.
   
   How is this common good to be protected and promoted? Educating children to be discriminating in their use of the media is a responsibility of parents, Church, and school. The role of parents is of primary importance. They have a right and duty to ensure the prudent use of the media by training the conscience of their children to express sound and objective judgments which will then guide them in choosing or rejecting programs available (cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris consortio, 76). In doing so, parents should have the encouragement and assistance of schools and parishes in ensuring that this difficult, though satisfying aspect of parenting is supported by the wider community.
   
   Media education should be positive. Children exposed to what is aesthetically and morally excellent are helped to develop appreciation, prudence and the skills of discernment. Here it is important to recognize the fundamental value of parents' example and the benefits of introducing young people to children's classics in literature, to the fine arts and to uplifting music. While popular literature will always have its place in culture, the temptation to sensationalize should not be passively accepted in places of learning. Beauty, a kind of mirror of the divine, inspires and vivifies young hearts and minds, while ugliness and coarseness have a depressing impact on attitudes and behavior.
   
   Like education in general, media education requires formation in the exercise of freedom. This is a demanding task. So often freedom is presented as a relentless search for pleasure or new experiences. Yet, this is a condemnation not a liberation! True freedom could never condemn the individual -- especially a child -- to an insatiable quest for novelty. In the light of truth, authentic freedom is experienced as a definitive response to God's 'yes' to humanity, calling us to choose, not indiscriminately but deliberately, all that is good, true and beautiful. Parents, then, as the guardians of that freedom, while gradually giving their children greater freedom, introduce them to the profound joy of life (cf. Address to the Fifth World Meeting of Families, Valencia, 8 July 2006).
   
   
3. This heartfelt wish of parents and teachers to educate children in the ways of beauty, truth and goodness can be supported by the media industry only to the extent that it promotes fundamental human dignity, the true value of marriage and family life, and the positive achievements and goals of humanity. Thus, the need for the media to be committed to effective formation and ethical standards is viewed with particular interest and even urgency not only by parents and teachers but by all who have a sense of civic responsibility.
   
   While affirming the belief that many people involved in social communications want to do what is right (cf. Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Ethics in communications, 4), we must also recognize that those who work in this field confront "special psychological pressures and ethical dilemmas" (Aetatis Novae, 19) which at times see commercial competitiveness compelling communicators to lower standards. Any trend to produce programs and products -- including animated films and video games -- which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behavior or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programs are directed at children and adolescents. How could one explain this 'entertainment' to the countless innocent young people who actually suffer violence, exploitation and abuse? In this regard, all would do well to reflect on the contrast between Christ who "put his arms around [the children] laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing" (Mk 10:16) and the one who "leads astray … these little ones" for whom "it would be better … if a millstone were hung round his neck" (Lk 17:2). Again I appeal to the leaders of the media industry to educate and encourage producers to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family.


4. The Church herself, in the light of the message of salvation entrusted to her, is also a teacher of humanity and welcomes the opportunity to offer assistance to parents, educators, communicators, and young people. Her own parish and school programs should be in the forefront of media education today. Above all, the Church desires to share a vision of human dignity that is central to all worthy human communication. "Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave" (Deus Caritas Est, 18).

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

INTRODUCTION

Today we are celebrating the India Communications Day. All of us have been profoundly impacted by the communication revolution around us. Even children and youth are much influenced by TV and Internet. Recognising this, early this year Pope Benedict XVI announced the theme of the 41st World Communications Day as, "Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education". While we benefit from the all pervasive media, the Holy Father wants us to sensitise children to the harmful effects of some means of communication through media education.

We acknowledge that the media are “Gifts of God” to humanity. However, they can build or destroy, make or mar human lives and relationships between individuals and groups. During this Eucharist, let us appreciate and thank God for the wonderful gifts of communications media. Let us recognize the numerous possibilities of using them for entertainment, education and enhancing relationships between people. Also let us be aware of their harmful influences and acknowledge our failure to be critical and discerning consumers of media. Let us be truly sorry for not exercising our responsibility to help children keep away from the harmful use of media and personally for abusing or misusing them.

PRAYER OF ASSEMBLY

Heavenly Father, you have endowed us with the means of social communications as your gifts to humanity for its unity and advancement according to your plan for the salvation of all. Give us the grace to become aware of the immense potential of media and communication so that we may understand our own selves and the world around us and grow in holiness. Grant that we promote the cooperation and communion of all your children with dignity and honour. We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading
Acts 1:1-11: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses." (Or Ephesians 1:7-23 or Wisdom 9:1-9)

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 46: "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in distress." (Or Psalm 23 or Psalm 75)

Second Reading
Hebrews 9:24-28: "But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice." (Or Hebrews 10:19-23 or 2 Corinthians 7:1-4)

Gospel
Luke 24:46-53: "And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you." (Or Luke 17:1-4 or Mark 10:13-16)

Suggestions for a Homily

1. Introduction

1.1 Media situation in India:

The emerging India is all communications! It communicates a new confidence, a vibrant democracy and an IT power. India communicates through its rich diversity of cultures, religions, languages and art forms.

In the recent times, India has experienced many revolutions and one of the greatest and perhaps most significant one is the information and communication revolution. With over 200 TV channels, more than 5,000 dailies and above 40,000 periodicals, hundreds of radio stations, over 850 feature films produced every year and ever increasing number of mobile phones and computer networks, India is experiencing a communication explosion.

The traditional India which discouraged people from crossing the seven seas is now connected to the www world. With the launching of E-learning, E-justice, E- Medicare, E-Shaadi and even E-Puja, over 37 million internet subscribers in India are adopting a new communication style. According to a recent survey, internet is gaining popularity amongst people of all age groups.

While modern means of communication are reaching millions, at the same time, “a large section of the society is illiterate and is not reached by modern media.” (Final Statement, CBCI GBM '04). According to some estimates, about 40% of the India's population will not have used even a telephone in their life-time!

1.2 Challenges:

• Change in lifestyles: There have been remarkable changes in the lifestyles, behaviour, habits and even values of the Indian people.
• Shift in value systems: There has been a shift in value systems and crave for luxury, creating an impression that to be happy you need to have more!
• Increase in violence: Media also portray violence in many forms which leaves a huge impact on the impressionable minds of little children. Children are exposed to violent scenes through TV, video games, internet etc. It increases aggressiveness and anti-social behavior, making them less sensitive to violence and to victims of violence.
• Children interacting less: The mass media and Internet have influenced the younger generation to give up old styles of entertainment and relaxation such as outdoor games and reading. In fact such is the attraction of TV and Internet that many of them have forgotten their toys and those who want toys want action toys and gizmos instead of dolls and balloons. Quite a few have even forgotten how to play, making them more aggressive and isolated socially.
• Traditional art forms are losing their popularity and some are even totally vanishing from the face of the earth.
• Media are used to promote certain ideologies by communal forces: Many communal organizations forces are effectively using media and Internet to spread hatred and violence in the society.

2. Word of God

Today's Word of God powerfully portrays the divine pedagogy, as to how God personally, and later through his Son Jesus Christ, journeyed with his people and educated them in faith. Jesus the Perfect Communicator is presented to us as a perfect teacher who educated his disciples in faith.

The First Reading (Acts 1: 1-11) shows what “Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom he had chosen” (Acts 1:2). The Risen Jesus “presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). He gave them a promise and a mission: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:9). He “blessed” them. They watched him being taken up to heaven.

The Second Reading (Heb 9:24-28) states that Jesus the High Priest has entered the Holy of Holies personally with his own blood to take away our sins. It gives them a new meaning and a new hope in the One who will come again “not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.”

The Gospel (Lk 24: 46-53) presents Jesus as a perfect teacher, an excellent companion and a perfect communicator. Jesus did not condemn the Apostles for their “foolishness” in not believing in what the women said about the Risen Lord. The Risen Lord accompanied the two disciples of Emmaus and “explained to them” what was written in the Scriptures.

He even ordered them “not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4). He “led them out of the city” and after blessing them, made them return to Jerusalem “filled with joy” and “giving thanks to God”.

3. Message of the Holy Father

In his message for the World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI focuses on how proper formation can help children learn to be truly free. He looks at how the knowledge of how to exercise their own freedom in the social context in which they find themselves can help them develop a profound joy of life. For this reason, the Holy Father appeals to Church members, families and schools to provide an effective education in the use of the media.

1. Empower children to respond to media freely and proactively: It is important to note that Pope Benedict XVI calls on us to enter into the world of the media with courage and to choose that which is best for us and the new generations. It is not a call to escape from the media reality or a condemnation of media, rather a free, healthy and pro-active response to media.
2. The Holy Father reminds us that children need to be accompanied as much as possible as they interact with the media and where the risk of sometimes confusing reality with fiction exists. Ideally, parents, teachers and parish communities should become knowledgeable of the languages and techniques used by the media in order to be better selective of what they offer, to assist children in discernment and in making better choices. General criteria based on principles such as beauty, goodness and truth can offer good guidelines in selecting programmes, content or even videogames.
3. Help children to avoid harmful situations: True education helps children to avoid themes or situations which impoverish or deceive them under the guise of freedom, or where a relentless desire for novelty is created which, in the long run, will never be satisfied or bring about real happiness. The ideal is that children can learn how to choose what is best for themselves, helping them to grow in goodness and joy: "Beauty, a kind of mirror of the divine, inspires and vivifies young hearts and minds, while ugliness and coarseness have a depressing impact on attitudes and behaviour." Beauty, a "mirror of the divine" can help direct and inspire a responsible use of freedom.
4. Media persons need to respect human dignity: All media owners and media persons need to respect human dignity. With awareness of the often intense commercial pressures facing those who work in this field, the Holy Father nevertheless encourages producers: "to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family."

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant: Merciful God, today we pray that we may be faithful to your Son, Jesus Christ, light of the world and prince of peace, who declared, “Allow the little children come to me”. Guide us in our efforts to assist children and families to gain from modern media of communications and keep away from harmful uses. We pray: Lord, teach us to be your witnesses.

Petition 1: For the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, that he may be strengthened by the Lord in his work of communicating the love of God manifested in Christ, especially through the service of the poor and the most vulnerable. We pray: Lord, teach us to be your witnesses.

Petition 2: For Bishops, priests, deacons and all religious men and women, that their life and ministry may reflect the living message of Christ who loves the simplicity and humility of children. We pray: Lord, teach us to be your witnesses.

Petition 3: For all our community, that we may strive to serve the society and find in the communications media an effective tool for evangelization, witness and spiritual growth. We pray: Lord, teach us to be your witnesses.

Petition 4: For our parents and teachers, whether at home or in school, that they may know how to transmit and instill in children a profound respect for life. We pray: Lord, teach us to be your witnesses.

Petition 5: For our dear children, especially those suffering from abuse or neglect, that they may meet people who show them warmth, respect and solidarity. We pray: Lord, teach us to be your witnesses.

Petition 7: For those who own media and those who work in the media, that the Holy Spirit may enlighten them with wisdom and a desire to respect human dignity and social amity. We pray: Lord, teach us to be your witnesses.

Celebrant: Father of all goodness, receive the prayers which we offer to you, so that through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, we may be able to witness to the Lord, using all the communications media which are your 'gifts to humanity'. We pray through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray: God our Father, creator of heaven and earth, you have made all things for the use of human beings and have given them marvelous gifts to enhance their own existence. Among these gifts are the many technological inventions, including those of communication and media. Help us to appreciate these so that we could offer their fruits back to you as an offering. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

POST COMMUNION

Let us pray, God our loving and caring Father and Friend, we thank and praise you for creating this world. We also thank you for creating us as we are and for bestowing upon us all your graces and blessings. Thank you most of all for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ in the Eucharist who continues to sustain us in our daily activities. Help us through the Eucharist to be good communicators for the sake of your Kingdom, established by Jesus Christ your Son, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen

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