HOLY FATHER CHOOSES THEME FOR WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY 2008

VATICAN CITY -- "The Media: At The Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service. Searching for the Truth in order to Share it with Others." is the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the 42nd World Communications Day 2008

"The theme chosen by the Holy Father for World Communications Day", said Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, "calls on us to reflect on the role played by the media and especially the increasing risk of their becoming self-absorbed and no longer instruments at the service of truth - something which is meant to be sought and shared". The Pontifical Council for Social Communications is the department of the Vatican which prepares study materials and liturgical texts on the theme for distribution to bishops’ conferences and international Catholic media organizations.

World Communications Day, the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council ("Inter Mirifica", 1963), is celebrated in most countries, on the recommendation of the bishops of the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost (in 2008, May 4).

The Holy Father’s message for World Communications Day is traditionally published in conjunction with the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers (January 24).

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