Pope asks communicators to reflect on value of silence
January 24, 2012: Msgr. Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council
for Social Communications, presented on Tuesday morning the Pope's Message for the
46th World Communications Day on the theme: "Silence and the Word: path of evangelization.
“Learning to communicate is learning to listen and contemplate as well as
speak. This is especially important for those engaged in the task of evangelization:
both silence and word are essential elements, integral to the Church’s work of communication
for the sake of a renewed proclamation of Christ in today’s world” said Pope Benedict
XVI in his message released on 24th January, the feast day of St. Fracis
de Sales, Patron of writers.
Reflecting on silence, the Pope said that silence
is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot
exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves. By remaining
silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself. In this way,
space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible.
When word and silence become mutually exclusive, communication breaks down, when
they complement one another, however, communication acquires value and meaning, the
Pope explained.
Looking at the present day technological development in the
field of communication, the Pontiff said that ‘The process of communication nowadays
is largely fuelled by questions in search of answers. Search engines and social networks
have become the starting point of communication for many people who are seeking advice,
ideas, information and answers. And Internet is becoming ever more a forum for questions
and answers.
The Pope suggested that attention should be paid to the various
types of websites, applications and social networks which can help people today to
find time for reflection and authentic questioning, as well as making space for silence
and occasions for prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God.
Each
year in his Message for World Communications Day, the Pope tries to analyze the culture
of communication to provide suggestions to the man of today and to guide pastoral
action of the Church. The Catholic celebration of World Communication Day is observed
in most dioceses on the Sunday before Pentecost, which in 2012 falls on May 20.