The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei (CBCMSB) participated in an intensive training workshop aimed at improving their media skills and strategies, allowing them to be better prepared and more confident during media-related events.
On this one-day training entitled Communications & Presentation Skills (Spokesperson Training Basic Level), the bishops were taught different presentation approaches to make the Church more relatable to the wider world.
The workshop was conducted by media consultant and communications advisor Augustine Anthuvan at the MAJODI Center on July 10.
Anthuvan used various exercises to teach bishops how to communicate effectively, meet the expectations of the public, and create genuine connections with the people they wanted to reach.
He explained how the prelates can fine-tune complex theological teachings and pastoral instructions, minimizing them into easily digestible, quotable quotes without losing their full essence.
Anthuvan also put the bishops in one-on-one interview scenarios to show how they should present themselves during media conferences. He explained how they must deliver messages clearly and credibly.
These mock interviews also guided the bishops on how to anticipate questions from journalists and the right way to improvise on the spot when presented with unexpected queries.
Moreover, Anthuvan also helped the prelates with speechwriting, reminding them, "It’s not what you say, but what they hear."
Anthuvan emphasized the importance of a speech having an introduction, body, and conclusion for it to resonate with the listeners. He also explained to them the power of the Latin maxim "omne trium perfectum," which means "everything that comes in threes is perfect."
Aside from helping bishops become better media communicators, Anthuvan also reminded the prelates of the importance of a good diocesan spokesperson.
He explained that the person appointed in this position must always be prepared to present the Church’s position on various subjects, particularly on alarming social issues. -Luke Godoy
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.
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