By C V Joseph –
Bengaluru: Fr. Cyril Victor Joseph of the Archdiocese of Bangalore has obtained a Doctorate in the field of Institutional (Church) Communications from the Pontifical University of Holy Cross, Rome. The dream of Archbishop emeritus Rev. Bernard Moras to train someone in the field of communications in order to strengthen the media ministry not only in the archdiocese but also in the entire region of Karnataka has been fulfilled. This will soon reflect and will be visible in many initiatives to be undertaken for the spread of good news in Karnataka.
The course of institutional communications is much different from the fields of pastoral communication as well as the social communications and being taught exclusively at the above mentioned University, said Fr Victor.
Dr. Cyril completed the requirement of the studies with a special focus to study the Church events and their media coverage, in particular, the visit of Pope Francis to USA-2015: A quantitative and rhetorical analysis of the press coverage. He also had unique opportunities of acquiring a TV internship EWTN, Alabama and a student exchange programme at the University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.
Currently, Archbishop Peter Machado has appointed him as the Director of Communication Centre and the secretary for the Social communication. In addition, he is also the director of Paalana Bhavana, Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Bangalore and the Coordinator for all the diocesan commissions, according to knowledgeable sources.
Born on July 21, 1979 in Bangalore, Fr Cyril Victor Joseph had education in St. Theresa’s Catholic Primary School, Bangalore (1985 to 1992), St Anthony’s Catholic High School (1992 to1995), Bhakthi Bhavan, Minor Seminary (July 15, 1995), St Joseph’s College, Bangalore (1996 to 2001), St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary – Philosophy (2001 to 2003) and St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore – Theology (2003 to 2007).
Fr Victor was ordained a priest on May 7, 2008. He completed Master’s degree in English Literature from Karnataka State Open University, Mysore (2009 to 2011). A soft –spoken Fr Victor also had Licentiate (Post Graduate) in Institutional Church Communications with a special theme “Communicating Church Through Mobile Apps”, at Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, Italy.
Fr Victor’s work experience includes teaching at Bhakthi Bhavan, Bangalore (2009 to 2012) and teacher of Sacred Scripture, Liturgy and Spoken English.
As a Roman Catholic priest of the archdiocese, he discharged his pastoral duties as a Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph’s Church, Briand Square (2008 to 2009), Assistant Rector, Bhakthi Bhavan, Minor Seminary (2009 to 2012), Assistant Director, Archdiocesan Communications Centre (2009 to 2012) and Editor – Tabor Vaani, Archdiocesan Monthly News Magazine (2009 to 2012).
The languages Fr Cyril Victor speaks are Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, English, Italian, German and Spanish.