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INTENTION : |
That the media may be instruments in the service of truth and peace.
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Being a servant of justice, peace and truth.
Matthew in the last chapter of his gospel invites us to go out to all nations to make disciples. In other words, Christ calls us to proclaim his good news at all times and in all places. In Jesus' time this happened in a door to door fashion, going from synagogue to synagogue, public square to public square, to bring this word of hope, reconciliation and enthusiasm. Our world is in urgent need of the Word; hope must constantly be watched over so that its flame does not go out. Men and women of good will still have this desire to make Christ known, He who makes them 'take on the garb of servants' and stand on the threshold as watchers and awakeners. Christ is their strength and is also our strength in our service for truth and peace.
The communications media are good carriers for announcing this Word of Life, this Word of power which comes to us from God. But as with everything, we must use them with great prudence and discernment. Paul's warning to the Christians in Corinth ought to stay with us as we use them; 'everything is permitted to me, but not everything is profitable to me.' And so, we ought to use them to bring pertinent and verified information. To serve Peace and Justice is also to make sure of the accuracy, the authenticity of the message that we want to pass on.
With the media, especially in the age of the internet, false information can be all over the world in a short time, and have unforeseeable consequences. On the other hand, a reliable, relevant and well-sifted communication can do much good. In the gospel it is said that Jesus went about doing good. (Acts 10:38). If he is our model and the door through which we pass to have life in abundance, communications-media should be more concerned to bring to men and women the elements they need for their human and spiritual growth rather than the latest popular video. We should strive to contribute to the building of our human society. That can only be possible through a commitment to improve the life conditions of our contemporaries, in the footsteps of Jesus. Each one, wherever he is, can bring his stone to the building of the Kingdom to make real a world where fraternity is the keystone. So let us exploit all this information given to us, or which we give, in order to be servants of justice, peace and truth.
Mr. Pierre-Baptiste Cordier-Simonneau,
Member of the AP team, France.
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