(ANS – Vatican City) – Today, Thursday, Sept. 29, the theme that the Holy Father Francis has chosen for the 57th World Communications Day, which will be celebrated in 2023, was released: “Speaking the truth in love: Veritatem facientes in caritate (Eph. 4:15).” Also today, still on the subject of communication, the Pope also appointed several new Consultors of the Dicastery for Communication: among them are two Salesians: Fr. Fabio Pasqualetti, Dean of the Faculty of Social Communication Sciences at the Salesian Pontifical University; and Fr. George Plathottam, Executive Secretary of the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
The theme of World Communications Day, a note from the Holy See Press Office explained, is ideally connected to that of 2022, “Listening with the Ear of the Heart,” and is intended to fit particularly into the journey that will lead the whole Church to the celebration of the Synod in October 2023. To speak with the heart means “to give reason of the hope that is in us” (cf. 1 Peter 3:14-17) and to do so with meekness, using the gift of communication as a bridge and not as a wall. In a time marked – even in church life – by polarization and exaggerated debates that exacerbate tempers, he invites everyone to go against the tide.
“We must not be afraid to affirm the truth, at times uncomfortable, which finds its foundation in the Gospel,” the Vatican note continues, “but we must not detach this proclamation from a style of mercy, of sincere participation in the joys and sufferings of the man of our time, as the Gospel page recounting the dialogue between the mysterious Wayfarer and the disciples of Emmaus teaches us in a sublime way.”
“Today, in the dramatic context of global conflict that we are experiencing, the emergence of non-hostile communication is more necessary than ever. A communication that is open to dialogue with the other, that promotes ‘integral disarmament,’ that strives to dismantle ‘the war psychosis’ that lurks in our hearts, as prophetically exhorted St. John XXIII, 60 years ago in Pacem in Terris. It is an effort that is required of everyone, but in particular of communication workers called to carry out their profession as a mission to build a more just, more fraternal, more humane future.”
don Fabio Pasqualetti, Decano della Facoltà di Scienze della Comunicazione sociale dell’Università Pontificia Salesiana (UPS) di Roma
Fr. George Plathottam, Executive Secretary of the Office of Social Communication of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
Source: ANS – “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana”