ADVANTAGES AND RISKS OF COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA

January 27, 2006 – Msgr. Dr. Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Ratisbona

I. The fathers of the Second Vatican Council specifically dedicated a decree on the topic of the media of social communication. Through the “Inter Mirifica,” in fact, the Church offered a response to the latest developments and the growing role of media and the world of communication that uses new technologies to spread information, news, entertainment and ideas. It is difficult to stop such a flow of information from also spreading messages that often monopolize, slander, that even begin wars. There are not enough filtering devices to as yet prevent all this. All the same, even those who defend their right to information will have to deal with the consequences of this in the future. This is because the right to be informed implies complete information, news that are exact, and the spreading of messages that are morally and ethically in keeping with and directed towards building up society, rather than tearing down the principles which guide our human existence. The good of the individual and of the whole human family should be at the center of every activity of any means of social communication.

“Inter Mirifica” attributes to the media of social communication a supportive function in the preaching of the Church: “The Catholic Church, since it was founded by Christ our Lord to bear salvation to all men and thus is obliged to preach the Gospel, considers it one of its duties to announce the Good News of salvation also with the help of the media of social communication and to instruct men in their proper use.” (N.3)

II. As a consequence, The Church turns to the media of social communication for the exchange of information. Through television, radio and internet, it is now possible to reach an unheard of audience size, beyond concrete and national boundaries, from the moment that technology entered into the picture and gave us the capacity to transmit information globally. The new means of communication give us the possibility of proclaiming the Gospel message worldwide. The presentation and preparation of this message, all the same, should not be adapted to the style used nowadays by the media; the language and modes of presentation modes should always respect and be visually pertinent to the message presented.

III. The media of social communication also allow us to traverse distances that were not previously possible, as for example the videoconferences held by the Congregation of the Clergy. The spiritual and human sharing serve as a bridge which allows us to have a greater unity in the Church, beyond the borders imposed by our human limitations. The worldwide dimension of the Church is manifest in the encounter with theologies of other nations and the awareness of how other cultures approach Church issues. Also in the scientific field, experience and the capacity to learn are the driving force behind the dynamics of progress. Also the media of social communication, if used to expand the range of knowledge and to build up a humane society, can be blessed instruments used for the work of the Church.