The Catholic Church today marks the 50th World Communications Day, the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council (Inter Mirifica, 1963). The theme is ‘Communication and mercy: a fruitful encounter’.
The choice of the theme has clearly been determined by the celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Pope Francis saw this year’s celebration as an appropriate occasion to reflect on the deep synergy between communication and mercy, in the context of an awareness that communication is a key element for the promotion of a culture of encounter.
The theme highlights the capacity of effective communication to open up a space for dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation, thereby allowing fruitful human encounters to flourish. At a time when our attention is often drawn to the polarised and judgmental nature of much commentary on the social networks, it invokes the power of words and gestures to overcome misunderstandings, to heal memories and build peace and harmony.
Effective communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. The walls that divide us can be brought down if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another. We need to resolve our differences through forms of dialogue that help us grow in understanding and mutual respect.
A culture of encounter demands that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive. The media can help us greatly in this, especially in our age, when the networks of human communication have made unprecedented advances. The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity.
Certain problems do exist. The speed with which information is communicated often exceeds our capacity for reflection and judgement. This does not facilitate more balanced and proper forms of self-expression.
The variety of opinions being aired can be seen as helpful, but it also enables many people to barricade themselves behind sources of information that only confirm their own wishes and ideas, or political and economic interests. Such drawbacks are real.
However, they do not justify rejecting social media. Rather, they remind us that communication is ultimately a profoundly human rather than technological achievement. Effective communication is never merely the product of the latest or most developed technology, but is realised within the context of a deep interpersonal relationship.
In his 2016 World Communication Day Message, Pope Francis stresses that communication has the power to build bridges, to enable encounter and inclusion, and thus to enrich society. It is wonderful when people select their words and actions with care, in the effort to avoid misunderstandings, to heal wounded memories and to build peace and harmony.
Words can indeed build bridges between individuals and within families, social groups and peoples. This is possible both in the material world and the digital world. Our words and actions should be such as to help us all escape the vicious circles of condemnation and vengeance that continue to ensnare individuals and nations, encouraging expressions of hatred.
The Pope’s message refers to the language and gestures of the Church but the context makes it clear that all men and women in their own communications, in their reaching out to meet others, ought to be motivated by a deep expression of welcome, availability and forgiveness.
The Holy Father invites all people of good will to rediscover the power of mercy to heal wounded relationships and to restore peace and harmony to families and communities. He points out that all of us know how many ways ancient wounds and lingering resentments can entrap individuals and stand in the way of communication and reconciliation. His advice is that the same holds true for relationships between peoples. In every case, mercy is able to create a new kind of speech and dialogue.
Shakespeare put it eloquently when he said: “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” (The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene I).
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