The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria(CBCN) has announced that it would organise a Communications Week (ComWEEK) programme to commemorate the 2022 World Communication Day celebration for May 22 to May 29.
The Director of Social Communication , Rev. Fr. Micheal Umoh, made this known over the weekend in Abuja.
TheFact Nigeria reports that the ComWEEK programme is aimed at promoting media literacy in all the over 4500 parishes in Nigeria.
The cleric said the theme of this year’s World Communication Day, ‘Listen to the ear of the heart’ implies freely giving our own time to listen to the people which is the first act of charity.
Umoh also said listening was connected to the ongoing synodal process which emphasises the need for everyone in the Church to be heard.
He expressed joy that the Catholic Bishops already received commendation from the Vatican for the bold step they have taken in advancing media formation.
An advancement would bring about missionary discipleship and responsible citizenship in a democratic dispensation.
“The Prefect of the Dicastery for Communications in Vatican, Dr. Paolo Ruffini, commended the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for introducing the Communications Week (ComWEEK),” he said.
The letter read thus: “We receive with great joy the news that the Bishops have unanimously endorsed the introduction of a media literacy programme in all parishes in the country within the context of the Communications Week celebration in May 2022.”
By the theme of the programme, the Holy Father explains that listening involves more than simply the sense of hearing and it is the foundation of every true relationship with God or humanity.
Pope Francis reminds the world that listening is basic and essential for genuine dialogue.
The Pope sees it is an indispensable first step in human communication and a dimension of love.
Specifically addressing all media practitioners, the Holy Father says that “without listening, there is no good journalism.
“Journalists need to listen to many voices in order to ensure the reliability and seriousness of the information they transmit,” particularly in this era of fake news and misinformation,” he said.
The letter further read: “We commend the Nigerian Bishops for this very bold step in boosting media development at the grassroots in the Church and society.
Noting especially that “the revolution in communications media and in information technologies represents a great and thrilling challenge,”
He said that Pope Francis is calling for responses with fresh energy and imagination in order to better share the beauty of God in our lives.
The clergy also said that first plenary of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria will come up from March 5 to March 11, 2022.
He further stated that the Catholic Church in Nigeria will also be hosting the RECOWA Conference (All Catholic Bishops in Africa) from May 2 to May 9, 2022, with all holding in the FCT.
He expressed gratitude to the Press, adding that “the Catholic Church relies on your sustained support in all ways”.
He advised journalists that in the coming elections, they should strive to ‘listen’ to the cries of Nigeria and Nigerians as they report.
“Shun misinformation and fake news. Shun sycophancy, rather, allow the voices of the
poor to be heard,” he added.
He prayed God to continue to protect all newsmen in the course of their onerous duty and provide for them.
