Asia’s Church communicators should work together in reaching out to the faithful to help the Church in the region.
Cardinal Charles Maing Bo of Yangon, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), made the appeal during the meeting of FABC’s Office of Social Communication this week.
“It is my earnest appeal to the FABC-OSC, and all the OSCs of the member conferences to help each other and help the whole church in Asia,” said the prelate in a report on Radio Veritas Asia.
He also urged members of the office to help FABC “evolve strategies” to support various communication projects.
This year’s bishops’ meeting on social communication carried the theme “Communication and the Synodal Church.” It was held online from November 7-9.
Cardinal Bo encouraged everyone “to extend a helping hand to those who lag behind in harnessing the potential of communication.”
“We know that effective communication, even in the secular sphere, involves teamwork,” he said.
“If our communication is to lead us ultimately to communion, we have to learn the difficult lessons of togetherness, collaboration, and teamwork,” said the cardinal.
He invited all “to reflect on the fact that failing to communicate with each other in the spirit of Christ and help each other in true Christian charity are counter to the spirit of the synod.”
“Let us make every effort to improve our communication, the quality of content, and the manner of our communication,” said Cardinal Bo.
“Let us join hands, sit down together, plan, evaluate and examine the fruitfulness of what we do,” he added.
Cardinal Bo reminded the participants of the meeting to be aware of the central role of social communication in the Church’s ministry and to bring it into the life and mission of the Church.
He said the FABC general conference last month has many important ideas to implement.
“We cannot put into practice these good decisions and plans unless we take social communication seriously,” said the cardinal.