Silence in communication

The Catholic Church will be celebrating the World Day of Social Communications tomorrow. The celebration was instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1967 in the light of the Church’s wish to make its own contribution to the orderly development of the world of social communications: a contribution of inspiration, encouragement, exhortation, guidance and cooperation.

The Pope’s yearly message for the occasion seeks to analyse the culture of communication, offering guidance to modern man and directing the pastoral activity of the Church.

Pope Benedict XVI has been very attentive to the process and dynamics of communication, especially in the context of the cultural transformations that have arisen as a result of technological progress.

This year, the Holy Father turns his attention to what may be defined as a “classic” aspect of communication: “silence” or, rather, the pairing of “silence and word”.

Fully aware that without silence one does not hear, does not listen, does not receive a word, Pope Benedict focuses upon the importance of silence as part of authentic communication.

His message is that silence can be a vehicle of expression: it gives others the chance to speak and us the opportunity to listen, think and reflect.

In essence, it is in silence that one is able to give communication its correct significance and to avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of communication itself.

Silence has particular importance in the context of that incessant flow of questions which, in a certain sense, is the driving force of modern commun-ication culture.

The Pope writes that the relationship between silence and the world is an aspect of the human process of communication which, despite its importance, is often overlooked and which, at the present time, it would seem especially necessary to recall.

He sees silence and word as two aspects of communication that need to be kept in balance, to alternate and to be integrated with one another if authentic dialogue and deep closeness between people are to be achieved.

“Silence is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth...

“By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself. We avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested. In this way, space is created for mutual listening and deeper human relationships become possible...

“When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary. Deeper reflection helps us to make evaluations, to analyse messages. This makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge. For this to happen, it is necessary to develop an appropriate environment, a kind of ‘eco-system’ that maintains a just equilibrium between silence, words, images and sounds.”

Other points highlighted in the Pope’s message are:

The process of communication nowadays is largely fuelled by questions in search of answers. Search engines and social networks have become the starting point of communication for many people who are seeking advice, ideas, information and answers.

People today are frequently bombarded with answers to questions they have never asked and to needs of which they were unaware. If we are to recognise and focus upon the truly important questions, then silence is a precious commodity that enables us to exercise proper discernment in the face of the surcharge of stimuli and data that we receive.

Ultimately, this constant flow of questions demonstrates the restlessness of human beings, ceaselessly searching for truths, of greater or lesser import, that can offer meaning and hope to their lives. Men and women cannot rest content with a superficial and unquestioning exchange of sceptical opinions and experiences of life. All of us are in search of truth.

Attention should be paid to the various types of websites, applications and social networks that can help people today to find time for reflection and authentic questioning as well as making space for silence and occasions for prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God.

It is hardly surprising that different religious traditions consider solitude and silence as privileged states that help people to rediscover themselves and that truth which gives meaning to all things. The God of biblical revelation speaks also without words: !As the Cross of Christ demonstrates, God also speaks by His silence”.

If God speaks to us even in silence, we, in turn, discover in silence the possibility of speaking with God and about God.

The fundamental question of the meaning of human existence finds in the mystery of Christ an answer capable of bringing peace to the restless human heart. The Church’s mission springs from this mystery and it is this mystery that impels Christians to become heralds of hope and salvation, witnesses of that love which promotes human dignity and builds justice and peace.

Learning to communicate is learning to listen and contemplate as well as speak.