Catholic Communicators, men and women of prayer - B. Mylo

Photo courtesy of Randy Alvez, Pasig Soccom Ministry

DAVAO CITY, AUGUST 7, 2018 -  Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara led the participants in the Holy Hour of the 2nd day of the 4th National Catholic Media Convention held here in Mergrande Ocean Beach Resort.

Bishop Mylo focused on the 52nd World Communication Day message as a way of conversion, taking off from Archbishop Valles’ homily yesterday.

“Fake news, distorted and sensationalized, have far-reaching effect locally and globally… Gossips destroy the persons, communities, and nations.”

What is the difference between secular and Catholic media?  We are men and women of prayer… If we want to combat fake news and be journalists of peace, as men and women of prayer, being exposed to Jesus, we clearly realize the font and source of what we proclaim, Jesus who is our truth, no one else but the prince of peace.”

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, in his keynote address, reminded the Catholic media practitioners on the truth and reality of their mission which is the grace of their office: the proclamation of the kingdom.

Speaking from personal experience of opening for the fourth time their local Catholic radio station, the Archbishop said, “I was fearful and hesitant at first; but now, I can say with grace, it is the work of God that we are surviving in the social communication ministry in the Archdiocese of Davao.  God is guiding us and helping as we keep the core truth of the soccom ministry which is not money but the proclamation of the gospel.

He also brought out wish lists for the social communication ministry.  These are:

First, a soccom ministry that develops and promotes among the people the capacity to discern or promotes discernment, starting with oneself;

Second, a socomm ministry that gives prime attention to the communicators themselves, with the hearts and minds to be close to the One who said, “I am the truth”;

Third, a soccom ministry that develops the language of news into the language of mercy and compassion;

And fourth, a soccom ministry that develops the language of a Christian into joy and humor.

Meanwhile, Fr. Jboy Gonzales, SJ gave a powerful inputs on fake news and how to understand media manipulations, where they operate, what motivates them, what they use, why we are vulnerable to them, and how to address fake news.

He recommended the following:

First, cling to the truth.  God is truth;

Second, be an army of God using the language of dialogue, goodness and responsibility;

Third, encounter people at the peripheries;

Fourth, fulfill the mission of reconciliation;

Fifth, enflesh the truth by living it out;

Sixth, know the importance of credibility and integrity in media;

Seventh, use creativity and intellectual engagement;

Eight, evaluate religious life and technology;

And ninth, engage actively and conscientiously. /J. Jopson, CBCP ECSC