EVANGELIZING IN THE MEDIA

John Paul Speaks

Notable quotations from Pope John Paul II and official
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

WILL THE MEDIA GIVE JESUS A VOICE?

The Great Jubilee ... must be an opportunity and a challenge for the Lord's disciples to bear witness in and through the media to the extraordinary, consoling Good News of our salvation... May the media give voice to Jesus Himself, clearly and joyously, with faith and hope and love.

"WE MUST TELL THE GOOD NEWS"

Our duty to bear witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus and His saving presence in our lives is as real and pressing as was the duty of the first disciples. We must tell the good news to all who are willing to listen.

"SPREADING THE WORD OF GOD" PERSONALLY AND GLOBALLY

Direct, personal proclamation — one person sharing faith in the risen Lord with another — is essential; so are other traditional forms of spreading the word of God. But, ... proclamation today must take place also in and through the media.

THE EXTREME IMPACT OF THE MEDIA

The impact of the media in today's society can hardly be exaggerated... For many the experience of living is to a great extent an experience of the media... The proclamation of Christ must be part of this experience.

THE CHURCH AND THE SECULAR MEDIA

The Church must make energetic and skillful use of her own means of communications — books, newspapers, and periodicals, radio, television and other means. And Catholic communicators must be bold and creative in developing new media and methods of proclamation. But, as much as possible, the Church also must use the opportunities that are to be found in the secular media.

THE MEDIA'S BIAS AND DISRESPECT FOR RELIGION

Often ... there is a need for a kind of "examination of conscience" on the part of the media, leading to a more critical awareness of a bias or lack of respect for people's religious and moral convictions.

SPEAKING "EXPLICITLY OF JESUS CRUCIFIED AND RISEN"

Christian communicators should ... seek out ways to speak explicitly of Jesus crucified and risen, of His triumph over sin and death, in a manner suited to the medium used and to the capacities of the audience.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

In order to witness to Christ it is necessary to encounter Him oneself and foster a personal relationship with Him through prayer, the Eucharist and sacramental reconciliation, reading and reflection on God's word, the study of Christian doctrine, and service to others. And always, if it is authentic, this will be the Spirit's work much more than our own.

PROCLAIMING JESUS ENRICHES THE MEDIA

To proclaim Christ in the media ... is not only a necessary part of the Church's evangelizing mission; it is also a vital, inspiring and hope-filled enrichment of the media's message.

(Message for World Communications Day [June 4, 2000], issued January 24, 2000)