Chennai: “The Church needs prophetic Christian journalists today,” said Archbishop George Antonysamy of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore while addressing the inaugural session of the 27th National Convention of Christian Journalists hosted by the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) on December 10, at Citadel, Salesian Provincial House Complex, in Kilpauk, Chennai. The prelate, who was the chief guest, reiterated that being a Christian journalist or editor is not a profession, but a vocation.
The venue where the convention took place was named after two prophetic personalities in the Catholic communion of saints — Saints Titus Brandsma and Lazarus Devasahayam. The theme of this year’s convention was ‘Journalists: Called to be Prophetic Communicators’.
Mr S Peter Alphonse, chairman of the State Minorities Commission of Tamil Nadu, was the guest of honour. Present on the dais along with the dignitaries were Mr Ignatius Gonsalves, president of ICPA, Fr Suresh Mathew OFM Cap, Secretary of ICPA, Bishop Henry D’Souza, the Ecclesiastical Advisor of ICPA, and outgoing Ecclesiastical Advisor Bishop Salvadore Lobo. Other dignitaries included Fr K. M. Jose SDB, Provincial of the Chennai province of Salesians, and Fr Don Bosco, the vice-provincial.
The emcees for the power-packed event were Ms Elizabeth F Jane and Ms Priscilla Grace Gregory. The inaugural session began with Mr Gonsalves lighting three candles in front of the pictures of the three deceased members of the association — Fr Aloysius Kokkatt, Fr Jose Arayathel SVD and MR CV Jose — who passed away this year. Fr Suresh paid tributes to the deceased members after which the attendees observed a minute of silence in honour of them. The dignitaries also offered floral tributes to the trio.
It was followed by a prayer dance put up by the students of St Isabel’s College of Nursing, Chennai. Apart from ICPA members, Christian journalists, aspiring members of the association, media and communication students were among those present for the event. The dance was followed by lighting of the lamp by the guests and office bearers.
Fr Antony Pancras, the editor of The New Leader, delivered the welcome address. As he welcomed each distinguished guest on the dais, they were presented with a copy of the “Thirukural” in English and a shawl. He said that all those who have gathered at the venue have come together to listen to each other and strengthen the fraternal bonds to become exemplary journalists.
In his presidential address, veteran journalist, author and Church historian Mr Gonsalves gave a brief overview of ICPA and who comprises the association. He said that next year ICPA celebrates its 60th anniversary while the International Declaration of Human Rights enters its 75th year. He explained that “geopolitical repercussions have pushed human rights to the backyard. Not just India, but elsewhere. No wonder the West does little to challenge Delhi when it deviates from democratic values.”
Mr Gonsalves said it was no coincidence that December 10 was chosen as the date of the 27th convention as it is International Human Rights Day. Quoting Rumi, he said, “Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder”. He then brought in the example of television news debates which he said were nothing but sound and fury signifying nothing. He gave a clarion call to journalists to put up a stout “existential fight”. Before concluding, he bemoaned how the media was celebrating a survey that said journalism was the most regrettable course in universities. “How sad we celebrate our own doom,” he bemoaned. Quoting English poet John Milton, Mr Gonsalves said. “Awake, arise or forever be fallen.”
Archbishop Antonysamy, who was the former Apostolic Nuncio to Guinea, Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone, invited journalists to bear in mind three words Pope Francis gave to media professionals — Serenity, Precision and Completeness. The archbishop, who is the head of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Conference, said Christian journalists should stick to the topic and not deviate and confuse people. They should build up a new society by pulling down evil and replacing it with good. He also shared with them St Teresa of Lisieux’s Little Way to keep focused on one’s work and thereby become prophetic communicators.
He signed off by saying that every news, blog post, tweet and comment is an opportunity to make God’s love manifest if we commit ourselves.
The Guest of Honour, Mr Alphonse explained how after the fall of communism, people came to believe that the world belonged to liberalisation. But after the economic meltdown, they realised it was a big lie to rob the masses and make a creamy layer rich. Mr Alphonse expressed his angst about technological disruption. He said it was the duty of responsible journalists to take their stories on these aspects to the masses. He said this is the duty of Christian journalists too.
Bishop Lobo in his benedictory message said that compromise is the hallmark of the day everywhere. In such a scenario, Christian journalists have to look at Jesus who proclaimed not only the truth but also nothing but the truth. “You have a great part to play to proclaim the truth and complete the work given by Jesus Himself.”
Bishop D’Souza said that to be prophetic means to be called ‘to pull down and plant new’ filled with faith, courage and fidelity. “We are called to give hope and announce the good news. It is a prophetic calling,” he said, referring to journalism. Every Catholic journalist should edify and mentor a younger brood for the future, he said while summing up.
During the conclusion of the inaugural session, the guests were honoured with mementos and Fr Amirthraj SDB proposed the vote of thanks. He touched upon Synodality and said Catholic journalists should aim at building a better society.
(Courtesy ICPA)