Find books now:


Find books now:

Church to mark importance and sacrifice of the media

-03/05/05

Figures from TV, radio and print media, from across the country, are to gather in London to remember journalists and media professionals killed worldwide in the past twelve months.

The service, to mark World Communications Day will take place at Saint Mary Moorfields in London on 12th May 2005 at 6pm.

It has been organised by the new CCN ñ Catholic Communications Network, part of the Bishopsí Conference of England and Wales.

Mark Alderton, the CCNís Head of News said; “It is easy to be cynical about journalists but that clouds the dangers and the risks. Too many have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our democracy informed”.

He continued; “The war in Iraq, the turmoil in other parts of the Middle East, the crisis in Sudan and civil wars across the globe have taken a heavy toll and we felt it was right to remind the profession and the public of the dedication which many have towards the truth and the true price of that commitment”.

The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy OíConnor, is also calling upon Catholics throughout England and Wales to support the World Communications Day collection and the new Network.

In a personal letter to Parish Priests, The Cardinal talks about the need to engage more actively with both the specialist Catholic and secular media.

His call coincides with the creation of the CCN, which plans to work more closely with Dioceses, agencies of the Church and the Conference of Bishopsí to promote the Churchís teaching and messages.

In his letter, he writes; “The Catholic Church has a duty of public witness to our faith and if we are to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, we need to use all the good means at our disposal and to be coherent, modern and professional about it.”