India: Latin bishops’ conference holds public relations training

Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, said that the role of the PROs is like a water pipe, bringing information to people.

The PRO ministry in the church should be honest, transparent, and reachable.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of the public relations training program that is being organized by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) - Media Apostolate in collaboration with Signis India on October 25.

Signis India is part of SIGNIS World, which is a Catholic lay ecclesial movement for communication professionals in the press, radio, television, cinema, video, media education, the internet, and new technology.

The national-level PR training is being held at the Archbishop's campus at Paalanaa Bhavana, Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka state.

Burning topics related to the current scenario and the role of Catholics are also being discussed during the training program.

"The role of the PROs is very important for every institution, as in the public domain, anything can happen. Hence, relations with entities, bodies, and individuals are of the utmost importance," said Archbishop Machado.

In addition, he also insisted that the PR office is not only needed for the bishops' conference or a diocese, but if need be, every institution should cater to this important aspect as the country is getting advanced and the press/media is becoming complicated.

Over 50 PROs, media professionals, and communication heads from dioceses and religious congregations from across India, comprising of vicar generals, priests, nuns, and lay people, are taking part in the three-day program where the PROs will be trained in honing the skills and strengthening the inter-religious ties between Christians and people of other religions.

Noted media professionals from across the nation, namely Father Stephen Alathara, deputy secretary general, CCBI; Divine Word Father Babu Joseph, former secretary to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India; Father Stanley Kozichira, president of Signis Asia, noted journalist and editor of Indian Catholic Matters, Verghese Joseph, Nolan Pinto, Bansi Kalappa, and others, will be rendering important training through talks and presentations that are aimed at strengthening the PROs from across the nation.

Various topics like media management, interaction on various media platforms, and panel discussions will be covered in the three-day program.

Father Vijay Victor Lobo, national secretary, Signis India; Father Cyril Victor, coordinator of CCBI Media Apostolate; and director Paalanaa Bhavana and team have organized the program, which will conclude on October 27.

With 190 bishops as members, the CCBI is the largest bishops' conference in Asia and the fourth largest in the world. This conference animates the Church in India through its 16 commissions and four departments.