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 salt and light, they will give savor to the earth and brighten the world. Moreover, the Synod invites all (people) of good will, especially those who have charge of these media, to strive to turn them solely to the good of society, whose fate depends more and more on their proper use. Thus, as was the case with ancient works of art, the name of the Lord may be glorified by these new discoveries in accordance with those words of the Apostle: “Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, and the same forever.”(Hebrews 13:8.)
Another optimistic conclusion for the council bishops. Reading the epilogues of these various documents, one detects an expectation of openness and receptivity by both the laity and the world that might seem naive forty-something years later. The intervening years have seen a substantial erosion of civility in discussions with the Church and outside of it. Communicating incivility has weakened the moral fiber of culture within and outside of the Church. I don’t see any emerging media turning the tide. It will be left to human beings to guide and direct the existing, the new, and the future forms of social communication if we are to reclaim the ideals given in Inter Mirifica.
Any last comments?
Catholic Sensibility 