Category Archives: Inter Mirifica

As for the rest, this sacred Synod is confident that its issuance of these instructions and norms will be gladly accepted and religiously kept by all the Church’s children. By using these helps they will experience no harm and, like … Continue reading →

The final two sections of Inter Mirifica comprise an “Appendix.” So that the general principles and norms of this sacred Synod with respect to the media of social communications may be put into effect, by the express will of the … Continue reading →

We’re heading into the home stretch of Inter Mirifica – only two more sections to go after this post. The council bishops counsel broad cooperation across borders to ensure the principles of morality, openness to the Gospel, and other aspects already discussed in the … Continue reading →

National conferences are pretty much passe for both the curia and conservative Catholics these days, but it didn’t prevent the suggestion that national scale efforts might be needed:  Since an effective apostolate on a national scale calls for unity of planning … Continue reading →

The role of bishops is defined: It will be the task of the Bishops, however, to watch over such works and undertakings in their own dioceses, to promote them and, as far as the public apostolate is concerned, to guide … Continue reading →

From the bishops, a request of the pope: In fulfilling his supreme pastoral charge with respect to the media of social communication, the Sovereign Pontiff has at hand a special office of the Holy See. Moreover, the Fathers of the … Continue reading →

Moreover, that the varied apostolates of the Church with respect to the media of social communication may be strengthened effectively, each year in every diocese of the world, by the determination of the Bishops, there should be celebrated a day … Continue reading →

The bishops are critical–and maybe this is a bit surprising–of the passivity in face of the explosion of media options.  With the advent of YouTube and other computer innovations, would they be writing as strongly today? It is quite unbecoming for the … Continue reading →

Since the proper use of the media of social communications which are available to audiences of different cultural backgrounds and ages, calls for instruction proper to their needs, programs which are suitable for the purpose-especially where they are designed for … Continue reading →

To provide for the needs just set forth, priests, religious and lay(people) who are equipped with the proper skills for adapting these media to the objectives of the apostolate should be appointed promptly. How many dioceses have such persons in … Continue reading →

Some old media are mentioned, starting with print: First, a good press should be fostered. To instill a fully Christian spirit into readers, a truly Catholic press should be set up and encouraged. Such a press-whether immediately fostered and directed … Continue reading →

Now for the second and final chapter of Inter Mirifica, “On The Pastoral Activity Of The Church” All the children of the Church should join, without delay and with the greatest effort in a common work to make effective use … Continue reading →

We conclude chapter I with these thoughts: The public authority, in these matters, is bound by special responsibilities in view of the common good, to which these media are ordered. The same authority has, in virtue of its office, the … Continue reading →

The bishops speak not of “rights,” but of “responsibilities.” The principle moral responsibility for the proper use of the media of social communication falls on newsmen, writers, actors, designers, producers, displayers, distributors, operators and sellers, as well as critics and … Continue reading →