At the invitation of Rev.Dr.V.Sebastian, Regional Director of Commission for Social Communication, to the Diocesan Directors of Social Communication, they gathered at Nav Sadhana, Varanasi on Aug. 13, 2013. This invitation was extended to the Members of SIGNIS UPUKRAJ (Agra Ecclesiastical Region) to attend it. They were all together 17 from various dioceses: Allahabad, Agra, Bijnor, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Meerut, Varanasi, Udaipur including the Signis members. The session commenced at 9.30 a.m. with an audio-visual prayer song, welcomed by the Director of Nav Sadhana. The inaugural address was delivered by Most Rev.Raphy Manjaly, Bishop of Varanasi and Chairman of Commission for Social Communication. He described the Church as Mother and Teacher (Mater et Magistera), who knows the best for her children; she is aware of the power and usefulness of media, which is reflected in the communication decree Inter Mirifica of Vat. II. She is pro-media to create a better world; She exhorts to proclaim the Truth and stresses the need of Right to information to establish peace and justice in the world.
The Theme of the input session was RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN TIME THROUGH SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS. Prof. Sisir Basu, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, BHU, Varanasi threw light on the importance of messenger, receiver and understanding of context and listener as well as representation in communication; He further stated that the old media has centre of power, the new media is decentralized. Communication is cyclic, not lineal. He placed a few challenges faced by the Church and Christians in the modern society such as the church is looked at foreign, not Indian, elitist, but work for the poor, secretive and pro-western, not nationalist, etc. Christian presence/representation is very poor and insignificant. The Church is clergy centered, not laity centered; inclusive church is better for effective and efficient communication. Hence, he stressed the need of re-organizing and re-structuring to relate to the people in society and media. He also said that we need to understand new generation and relate to them in their own way. At the of the session Fr. Jacob Palamattam proposed vote of thanks.
The Mission of SIGNIS is to engage with media professionals and support Catholic Communicators to help transform our cultures in the light of the Gospel by promoting Human Dignity, Justice and Reconciliation, said Rev.Fr. Norbert Herman, Executive Secretary of SIGNIS INDIA. He further illuminated the vital role played by Signis in the national and international level. Rev.Fr.Anand, IMS, Secretary of SIGNIS UPUKRAJ, further explained the functioning and membership of Regional Signis. At the end of day the members of SIGNIS UPUKRAJ elected Rev.Dr.V.Sebastian as the President of SIGNIS UPUKRAJ. The day’s session came to an end by the vote of thanks proposed by Rev.Fr.Anthony Samy. All appreciated the hospitality and cordiality, fellowship and friendship of the Director and Staff of Nav Sadhana. All returned home with determination to revive the social communication ministry and to increase the network with all members and friends. Thanks be to God.
