Paul Toshihiro Sakai, Auxiliary Bishop of Osaka-Takamatsu, Japan, emphasized the importance of truth in building peace during his keynote address at the SIGNIS Asia Assembly 2024.
The assembly, held at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo from September 23-27, is centered on the theme "Human Communication in the Digital World for a Culture of Peace."
Bishop Sakai, who oversees communication for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan and serves as the advisory bishop to SIGNIS Japan, highlighted the vital connection between peace and truth. “To build peace, first of all, is to communicate the truth,” he stated.
Echoing the words of Pope Francis, Bishop Sakai reflected on practical ways to foster peace: “How can we sow the seeds of peace? For instance, we can cultivate peace by refraining from disparaging others behind their backs. That alone will make you a bearer of peace.”
The assembly, hosted by SIGNIS Japan, takes place against the backdrop of Japan's rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge technological advancements.
It brings together communication professionals and church leaders to explore how digital communication can shape a more harmonious and understanding world.
SIGNIS Asia, part of the global SIGNIS network, aims to engage with Pope Francis's message for World Communication Day. This year, the focus is on “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication,” inviting deeper discussions on the intersection of technology, humanity, and peace.
The opening address was delivered by Fr. Stanley Kozhichira, President of SIGNIS Asia, followed by a welcome address from Mr. Itaru Tsuchiya, President of SIGNIS Japan.
Video messages from Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, and Ms. Helen Osman, President of SIGNIS, added global perspectives to the assembly’s discussions.
In his remarks, Msgr. Francesco Escalante Molina, Apostolic Nuncio to Japan, offered a thought-provoking reflection: “The horizontal line of the cross represents our relationship with one another, and the vertical, our communication with God.”
The day’s proceedings also featured a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Melissa Fernando, exploring “Human Communication in the Digital World for a Culture of Peace: The Perspectives of Youths, Women, and Lay Professionals.”
Later, the session titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication” included talks by Bishop Linus Lee Seong-hyo of South Korea and Fr. Kaoru Kawaguchi, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan.
In the coming days, other critical topics will be addressed, such as “Making AI Work for Faith-Related Missions,” presented by Mr. Mennen Aracid from the Philippines, and “How to Apply the Theme: Human Communication in the Digital World for a Culture of Peace,” led by Fr. Arun Prakash D’Souza.
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
