By Felix Anthony –
Guwahati: “The church communicators in India cannot be relevant without passion” said the President of Signis India at a virtual meeting on 17 August.
“If there is no passion, there is no professionalism”, said Father Stanly Kozhichira, the President of Signis India, the Indian Chapter of Signis World, a World Catholic Association for Communication.
Addressing the delegates from North-East India on the theme ‘Media Advocacy’ the Delhi archdiocesan priest said, “The context we live in requires not much of technical equipments or expertise but passion to communicate the truth always and everywhere”.
Citing the example of the controversy surrounding a Malayalam movie title referring to Jesus, Father Kozhichira said, “Due to lack of passion and misplaced priorities, we lack professionalism and that often takes our media advocacy to a negative direction.”
Such a hue and cry over a trifling concern from church communicators gives unwanted attention and publicity to a trivial issue, Father Kozhichira remarked.
The virtual meeting was convened by the President of Signis Northeast India, Father Johnson Parackal sdb. The Chairman Bishop of the Social Communication Office of the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC), Albert Hemrom, attended the meeting along with 15 social communication incharges from the region.
Bishop Albert Hemrom, at his opening address highlighted how the social communication department of the northeast region has played an important role during the covid times to reach out to the needy, to spread awareness, to encourage vaccination and to spread positivity, and he encouraged the participants to use social media and other means of communication to continue the good work.
Speaking at the meeting, Allen Brooks, the Spokesperson of Assam Christian Forum, said, “India in general and northeast region in particular is going through a critical time of our lifetime. In the wake of Cattle Bill and Population Control Bill, the Church should give direction to its communicators and they should speak out with clarity on these contentious issues.”
Among others, Father Victor Vijay Lobo, Signis India Secretary, Father G.P Amalraj, Deputy Secretary NEIRBC, Dr. Shiji James, Vice President Signis Northeast India, Father and Tom Mangattuthazhe, the Secretary of Social Communication NEIRBC were present at the meeting and they all spoke on the vital importance of having passion to be effective church communicators today.