By Charles Igwe
Bishop Lucio Muandula of the Diocese of Xai Xai, Mozambique, has called upon the Church to invest significantly in media to effectively spread the Good News of Salvation across the African continent. Speaking at the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) assembly in Lagos, Nigeria, Bishop Muandula emphasized the need for substantial investment in various forms of media, including radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and communication platforms.
The bishop raised essential questions, challenging the effectiveness of current media outlets and the quality of their content. He urged the Church to strive for excellence, avoid mediocrity, and invest both financially and in human resources to become leaders in the media field. Bishop Muandula stressed the importance of specialized training for communication agents and operators, emphasizing the need to elevate the level of training beyond simple mobile phone content production.
He called for a commitment to innovation and originality, encouraging the Church to go beyond imitating past media practices and instead focus on becoming pioneers in the field. The bishop highlighted the role of priests, religious, and laity in receiving complete and adequate formation, ensuring that the Church’s message reaches diverse audiences effectively.
Bishop Muandula emphasized two theological principles—Christological and Ecclesiological—as foundations for the centrality of communications in the Church’s mission. He underscored the significant impact of digital communication technologies, particularly social networks, on the Church’s communication landscape. The bishop urged participants to consider the Church’s role as a citizen of culture and the digital environment, fostering dialogue with all individuals in contemporary society.
In conclusion, Bishop Muandula called for the Church to embrace innovation, dialogue, and digital culture, leveraging modern technologies to reach diverse audiences, particularly the youth. He emphasized the importance of using media as a powerful tool for promoting inclusion and fostering synodal communion within the Church, especially with those who feel excluded or marginalized.
