Bishop urges Journalists to Come out Clearly on Roman Catholic Values under attack

By Valerian Kkonde

PEARL NEWS SERVICE

THE FAMILY. Bishop Franzelli argues that the family needs to be protected by the journalists from those promoting same sex marriages.

The Bishop Chairman of the Communications Commission, of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, has called upon Catholic journalists to always reach out to the public with messages of love, hope and courage.

Bishop Joseph Franzelli made this appeal on Thursday, November 27 at Nsambya Catholic Secretariat while officiating at the Launch of the Association of Catholic Communication Practitioners in Uganda.

“Catholic Communicators need to speak with clarity especially when it comes to the Christian values that are considered outdated.

Whether you are writing about democracy, gender, peace or development, you should bring out the Social Doctrine of the Church. Your job is a mission. Always ensure that something good goes out to the public.”

Bishop Franzelli commended the members for forming the association pointing out that it will help bring together the Catholic Communicators and help them work as a team.

The Association of Catholic Communication Practitioners in Uganda (ACCPU) brings together individuals and groups of Catholic Communicators to promote the proclamation of the good news of salvation and integral human development. Members are guided by core values that include love, Courage and determination and Unity.

Other core values are Integrity, Professionalism and Faithfulness to the teaching of the Catholic Church.

Bishop Franzelli, who is also the Ordinary of Lira diocese, told members that he fully agrees with the ACCPU Constitution and that he was around to “represent the Episcopal Conference of the Shepherds of the Catholic Church in Uganda.”

He drew the members’ attention to the many associations that exist but are closed within themselves. The Bishop pointed out that if ACCPU is to emulate such, then it will not serve the evangelizing mission of the Catholic Church.

The Bishop further told the members that their Communication profession is likened to the Biblical light which, when lit, is put on the stand for every one to see.

And to further emphasize the importance of good Communication, the Bishop made reference to the Pope’s visit to the European Parliament. He said that the Pope talked about man’s position in the world in simple terms but emphatically.

“The human being is the center of politics and the economy. In Europe today money has become the center  When a person seizes to be productive is thrown away, arguing that they can do without him or her. That is why the biggest disease today in Europe is loneliness.

The Pope also talked about immigration; the many people who perish as they run away from wars, hunger, oppression and other dehumanizing factors back at home. Many perish in the sea as they try to reach Europe. The Pope said that the Mediterranean should not be a grave yard.

Look at the unborn kids being killed in abortion! But the Pope talked about all these important issues with simplicity, knowing that there are some who do not want to hear about them.”

The Bishop further revealed that many people and leaders in Europe today want Catholics to exist but do not want them to come out with principles of Christianity in public life.

On his part Fr. Philip Odii, the Executive secretary of the Social Communications Commission, told the members that the launch of the Association was a simple function yet very important; it marked the actual formation of the Association. He added that the association is not that new as it existed some time back but slowly phased out.

Fr. Odii, who is also the Acting Chairman of the Association, brought the members’ attention to some media houses that deliberately tell lies. He also revealed that the Catholic Church currently has eight radio stations countrywide.

“When you tell lies, the audience stops to trust you. Once the audience does not trust you, you lose it. It is important to always promote professionalism.”

Speaking on behalf of the task force Valerian Kkonde, the acting Secretary, told the members that they have to actively participate in the activities of the association if it is to become vibrant and relevant.  He urged members to bring on board those who have not yet joined, pointing out that those present are a very small portion of the Catholic journalists in the profession.

The task force was responsible for putting in place the Association, including the drafting of the Constitution.

Referring to Pope Francis as a man who walks the talk, Bishop Franzelli told the members that they too have a journey to walk and should help put across the Church leaders’ voices to the people. He observed that Communication is very expensive and too commercialized but that “with the little money available, you should make news using the gift of intelligence God has given you. Let us communicate life, love, courage and hope.”

Communicators, the Bishop emphasized, are important to the Catholic Church, the society and for a better Uganda. He urged them to always plan and be consistent.

“By launching this association, I am commissioning you to go out and start working. Go out and proclaim the good news of evangelization through your respective media houses, and bring about change for the good of the Catholic Church and the entire society at large,” Bishop Franzelli told the ACCPU members as he blessed them.

The launch of the Association of Catholic Communication Practitioners in Uganda concluded with the signing of the Constitution by the task force team and the members of the Social Communications Commission.

The ACCPU is currently based in the offices of the Social Communications Commission at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, Nsambya. The association will hold its first general assembly on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 to elect office bearers.