Empowering Evangelization: Archdiocese of Manila hosts Media Camp for Church Communicators
The Archdiocese of Manila Office of Communication (AOC) recently organized its third media camp, encouraging parish social communications ministry members to utilize their abilities and modern technology to spread God's Word.
The camp was led by AOC Director and Radio Veritas Vice President, Fr. Roy Bellen, and aimed to effectively equip communicators with the necessary skills to evangelize in the digital age.
Fr. Bellen emphasized the importance of technology in evangelization, citing Pope St. Paul VI's Encyclical Intermirifica as a guiding document.
"Any tools, equipment, or scientific knowledge we possess that can help in promoting and spreading the good news should be used. It's crucial to ensure its use promotes agreement, unity, truth dissemination, and upholds people's dignity," he stated on the local radio station Veritas 846.
Fr. Bellen recognizes the potential for modern technology, including artificial intelligence, to be exploited for selfish purposes.
The priest echoed Pope Francis' assertion that when used with the help of the Holy Spirit and wise judgment, all contemporary technology tools can be beneficial.
Fr. Bellen explained that the annual media camp serves to further develop the abilities of each parish's social communications ministers for their mission.
Pope Francis' message on the 58th World Social Communications Sunday served as inspiration for the 2024 media camp's theme, "Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication."
The event, held from May 31 to June 2 at the Caritas Philippines Development Center in Tagaytay City, featured lectures from notable speakers including Fr. Jojo Buenafe, Rappler Senior Reporter Paterno Esmaquel II, Jodel Sarmiento, Katie Diaz, and Roy Mark Guttierez. Their sessions focused on the rise of modern technology, particularly AI.
A total of 64 social communications ministers attended the media camp. Fr. Ilde Dimaano, the Executive Secretary of the Social Communications Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, led a holy mass to conclude the event.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
