Parents obligated to control what children see in media, pope says

Published: 2004-05-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Parents have a serious obligation to control what their children are allowed to watch or see on television, at the movies and on the Internet, Pope John Paul II said. But government authorities also have a duty to ensure that the media, especially those using public airwaves to communicate, "are always respectful of the truth and the common good," the pope said. Pope John Paul spoke about the media during his midday "Regina Coeli" address May 23, the church's World Communications Day. The pope said the church looks toward communications professionals "with attention, kindness and a desire to establish with them a frank and open dialogue in order to encourage a commitment on behalf of the authentic progress of humanity."

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .