Inter Mirifica 10

 

Those who make use of the media of communications, especially the young, should take steps to accustom themselves to moderation and self-control in their regard. They should, moreover, endeavor to deepen their understanding of what they see, hear or read. They should discuss these matters with their teachers and experts, and learn to pass sound judgements on them. Parents should remember that they have a most serious duty to guard carefully lest shows, publications and other things of this sort, which may be morally harmful, enter their homes or affect their children under other circumstances.

This week one of our school students asked me about the discovery of Jesus’ tomb. I suppose I’m not well informed about it. But I had to deal with his question about the supposed bones of Jesus’ family. My answer wasn’t well-prepared–it was completely off-the-cuff. But I think that parents, pastors and educators need to be attuned to the messages going out there. We might not use Fox or CNN or even MTV, but we need to know what’s being offerred there so as to make a planned and apporpriate response to those who do have questions raised because of it.

 

Inter Mirifica 9

Passive recipients need not apply:

All who, of their own free choice, make use of these media of communications as readers, viewers or listeners have special obligations. For a proper choice demands that they fully favor those presentations that are outstanding for their moral goodness, their knowledge and their artistic or technical merit. They ought, however, to avoid those that may be a cause or occasion of spiritual harm to themselves, or that can lead others into danger through base example, or that hinder desirable presentations and promote those that are evil. To patronize such presentations, in most instances, would merely reward those who use these media only for profit.

A proper discernment on the part of the recipient or participant seems logical. Prudential judgment is vital for presentations which may present immorality rather than promote it. However, I think we realize that this fine line is not discernable to all adults.

In order that those who make use of these media may fulfill the moral code, they ought not to neglect to inform themselves in time about judgments passed by authorities competent in these matters. They ought also to follow such judgments according to the norms of an upright conscience. So that they may more easily resist improper inducements and rather encourage those that are desirable, let them take care to guide and instruct their consciences with suitable aids.

I can see the value presented here, but in today’s world culture, many media resist what they would see as the evil of censorship. And to a degree, they are rightly suspicious. I’m not sure what the Chinese government/bureaucracy sees as harmful in this web site. All too often, human expression is censored in the name of values, when in reality it is the comfort of the authoritarian class that is threatened.

We’re really in a state today where the Church can provide sincere and authentic guidance, hoping that believers, especially impressionable ones, are encouraged to make right choices, because all the wrong ones are hanging out there for all to sample, savor, and suck in.

 

Inter Mirifica 8

 

Public opinion, not as a bellwether for politicians and such, but as a power which needs formation. It’s interesting that in talking with both liberals and conservatives, one aspect of common ground is the sense of powerlessness in shaping public opinion with any infusion of values or morality. What stride we may have made with regard to racism or the drink-driving combo may well be washed-out as a net zero with the spread of anger in uncivil public discourse. I don’t even want to get into racism.

Since public opinion exercises the greatest power and authority today in every sphere of life, both private and public, every member of society must fulfill the demands of justice and charity in this area. As a result, all must strive, through these media as well, to form and spread sound public opinion.

 

Inter Mirifica 7

The bishops don’t necessarily condemn the depiction of evil, but they would draw the line at titillation:
 

Finally, the narration, description or portrayal of moral evil, even through the media of social communication, can indeed serve to bring about a deeper knowledge and study of humanity and, with the aid of appropriately heightened dramatic effects, can reveal and glorify the grand dimensions of truth and goodness. Nevertheless, such presentations ought always to be subject to moral restraint, lest they work to the harm rather than the benefit of souls, particularly when there is question of treating matters which deserve reverent handling or which, given the baneful effect of original sin in (people), could quite readily arouse base desires in them.

One challenge often considered is the portrayal of the end result of a struggle between good and evil. All too often, evil seems temporarily victorious, and to suggest otherwise would be the height of naivete.

 

Inter Mirifica 6

The bishops make a case for the primacy of objective morality: 

The second question deals with the relationship between the rights, as they are called, of art and the norms of morality. Since the mounting controversies in this area frequently take their rise from false teachings about ethics and esthetics, the Council proclaims that all must hold to the absolute primacy of the objective moral order, that is, this order by itself surpasses and fittingly coordinates all other spheres of human affairs-the arts not excepted-even though they be endowed with notable dignity. For (a person) who is endowed by God with the gift of reason and summoned to pursue a lofty destiny, is alone affected by the moral order in (her or) his entire being. And likewise, if (a person) resolutely and faithfully upholds this order, (she or) he will be brought to the attainment of complete perfection and happiness.

I’ve been way on the periphery in discussions about shock value in the arts. The outrageous pieces one sees or hears about in the media are on a par with classical pops, mainstream pop/rock or rap, or network tv. A pitifully vain attempt to make a statement in which the shock itself becomes the expression. Sorry campers, that’s not art. It’s mostly empty bluster imitating art. If a person wants to insult another person, I suppose they can start a blog. If they need an expression for anger, I’d suggest a 12-step group or therapy.

That’s not to say that art can’t or shouldn’t challenge the people who engage it. But there’s more than enough material to explore that will disturb people without getting too obvious about it.

 

Inter Mirifica 5

Pardon the interruption of the past few days. We return to a look at the Vatican II decree on the media of social communications:

It is, however, especially necessary that all parties concerned should adopt for themselves a proper moral outlook on the use of these media, especially with respect to certain questions that have been vigorously aired in our day.

Information is a “right,” the bishops say, but it is not the highest value:

The first question has to do with “information,” as it is called, or the search for and reporting of the news. Now clearly this has become most useful and very often necessary for the progress of contemporary society and for achieving closer links among (people). The prompt publication of affairs and events provides every individual with a fuller, continuing acquaintance with them, and thus all can contribute more effectively to the common good and more readily promote and advance the welfare of the entire civil society. Therefore, in society (people) have a right to information, in accord with the circumstances in each case, about matters concerning individuals or the community. The proper exercise of this right demands, however, that the news itself that is communicated should always be true and complete, within the bounds of justice and charity. In addition, the manner in which the news is communicated should be proper and decent. This means that in both the search for news and in reporting it, there must be full respect for the laws of morality and for the legitimate rights and dignity of the individual. For not all knowledge is helpful, but “it is charity that edifies.”(1 Corinthians 8:1.)

“True and complete.” I wonder how many media outlets tout a complete coverage these days?

 

Inter Mirifica 4

For the proper use of these media it is most necessary that all who employ them be acquainted with the norms of morality and conscientiously put them into practice in this area. They must look, then, to the nature of what is communicated, given the special character of each of these media. At the same time they must take into consideration the entire situation or circumstances, namely, the persons, place, time and other conditions under which communication takes place and which can affect or totally change its propriety. Among these circumstances to be considered is the precise manner in which a given medium achieves its effect. For its influence can be so great that (people), especially if they are unprepared, can scarcely become aware of it, govern its impact, or, if necessary, reject it.

This seems to state the obvious, but perhaps it was less obvious in the days before the explosion of television networks and the internet. So many people are involved in “these media” today, it seems daunting, if not impossible, to hope for a moral framework from which we are exposed. It would seem that more than ever, the ability to discern morality is more a burden of the recipient rather than the transmitter.

 

Inter Mirifica 3

After the introduction, we head into Chapter I, titled, “On the Teaching of the Church.”

The Catholic Church, since it was founded by Christ our Lord to bear salvation to all (people) and thus is obliged to preach the Gospel, considers it one of its duties to announce the Good News of salvation also with the help of the media of social communication and to instruct (people) in their proper use.

The Church lays claim that it can utilize modern methods of communication, as indeed it did up to the time of the Council, and has continued since:
 

It is, therefore, an inherent right of the Church to have at its disposal and to employ any of these media insofar as they are necessary or useful for the instruction of Christians and all its efforts for the welfare of souls.

Clergy are to steer the laity to a good and proper application of the media. Note that the laity themselves are responsible for developing both the “human and Christian spirit” into these endeavors.

It is the duty of Pastors to instruct and guide the faithful so that they, with the help of these same media, may further the salvation and perfection of themselves and of the entire human family. In addition, the laity especially must strive to instill a human and Christian spirit into these media, so that they may fully measure up to the great expectations of (humankind) and to God’s design.

At the outset of this series, I asked if bloggers held ourselves to these principles. I confess that I read relatively little outside of Catholicism, and most of that would be among conservative blogs. I have no idea, really, if bloggers imitate the big guns of conservativism more than Christ. Those who comment on blogs would be no less bound to “instill a human and Christian spirit” into their contributions.

Before I get too much deeper into either this theme or Inter Mirifica, let me confess my own struggle with sarcasm and anger and such. I’ve posted things over the years I don’t think fit the bill the bishops are giving us. But I do think there’s value in Catholic bloggers holding one another to a very high standard of behavior and accountability. Do you?

 

Inter Mirifica 2

Modern methods of communication can be of great benefit, and of great harm when misused. This is nothing new.

The Church recognizes that these media, if properly utilized, can be of great service to (humankind), since they greatly contribute to (human) entertainment and instruction as well as to the spread and support of the Kingdom of God. The Church recognizes, too, that (people) can employ these media contrary to the plan of the Creator and to their own loss. Indeed, the Church experiences maternal grief at the harm all too often done to society by their evil use. Hence, this sacred Synod, attentive to the watchful concern manifested by the Supreme Pontiffs and Bishops in a matter of such great importance, judges it to be its duty to treat of the principal questions linked with the media of social communication. It trusts, moreover, that the teaching and regulations it thus sets forth will serve to promote, not only the eternal welfare of Christians, but also the progress of all (humankind).

As with many other documents, the Church has hope on two fronts here. First, that the welfare of believers will benefit. Second, the Council is always solicitous of possible benefits for the whole human culture.

Before we delve deeper, any thoughts come to mind thus far?

 

Inter Mirifica 1

Often overlooked with the promulgation of its big sister Sacrosanctum Concilium, Inter Mirifica, was actually the first council document promulgated, along with SC, at the end of the council’s second session in December 1963. The DECREE ON THE MEDIA OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS has missed my attention. I don’t ever recall reading it in grad school or in any other circumstance. Its framers might not have envisioned a social communications medium like the internet. Perhaps though, its content can be applied well to those of us who engage in the peculiar form of hyperspace flattery known as a weblog. Let’s start in with the document’s introduction, shall we?

Among the wonderful technological discoveries which (people) of talent, especially in the present era, have made with God’s help, the Church welcomes and promotes with special interest those which have a most direct relation to (human) minds and which have uncovered new avenues of communicating most readily news, views and teachings of every sort. The most important of these inventions are those media which, such as the press, movies, radio, television and the like, can, of their very nature, reach and influence, not only individuals, but the very masses and the whole of human society, and thus can rightly be called the media of social communication.