Vatican official says Catholic approach to media must include praise

Published: 2006-03-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church's approach to the media must include praise for positive programming and stories as well as criticism of what is harmful or dishonest, said U.S. Archbishop John P. Foley. The archbishop, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said his office always has tried "to recognize the good and affirm it, to see needs and fill them, to deepen our knowledge of the good news of Jesus Christ and to share it." Celebrating Mass March 13 to open the weeklong plenary session of the council, Archbishop Foley said that, unfortunately, the media have come to expect "more condemnation than commendation, more negative criticism than positive affirmation" from the church. The archbishop said he was convinced that the church must point out the negative that exists, but that it must be overcome with positive support and suggestions. "Let us continue not so much to curse the darkness as to offer the light of Christ through the communications media to those who search for purpose in life and love," he said.

Copyright (c) 2006 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .