CIRCULAR # 13/08 – Creation of a Media Ministry in Parish Level

To All Parish Priest in the Archdiocese of Cebu

Your Excellencies, Rev. Monsignori, Rev. Fathers:

I am happy to inform you that the Commission on Social Communications will launch the creation of a Media Ministry in each parish in the Archdiocese of Cebu beginning this July 2008. This ministry will be organized in our Parishes that will help in disseminating church news and information, organizing and creating church events, innovating church activities, and empowering parishioners in acquiring media literacy.

The creation of this ministry is triggered on the premise that there is an influx of all types of media industries to include the traditional and the computer information highways which have brought strong influence to all humanity across the nations of the world. The Catholic Church can use media as potential tools to propagate its teachings, disseminate information of its activities, programs, and advocacies. In addition, there are universities and media institutions that can be tapped to train the parishioners.

One of the programs under the Media Ministry is to train parishioners to news and information gathering, writing, and editing. This program is referred to as Parish Journalism which eventually awards successful trainees as parish journalists. Specifically, the program aims to involve the parishioners, preferably the youths, in the activities of the parish through journalism; propagate the awareness of responsible journalism among parishioners; and intensify the interest of the parishioners through Parish Priests on the significance of media influence by conducting media literacy training.

I ask you to endorse at least three (3) parishioners who meet the qualifications stipulated in the attached mechanics of the program to the Chairperson of the Commission on Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Trinidad Silva, Jr., not later than June 28, 2008.

For more details please see attachments:

I hope that with this program, the Archdiocese of Cebu would lead in the advocacy of empowering the people in spreading Christ’s Gospel through the mass media.

With my paternal blessing, I remain.

Sincerely in Christ,

+RICARDO J. CARDINAL VIDAL

Archbishop  of  Cebu

By Mandate of the Archbishop:

MSGR. RENATO C. BELTRAN, JR., P.C.

Archdiocesan Vice-Chancellor