By Rachel Kogi, CSN Media
Conscious of the relevance of continuous media training for Pastoral Agents to the mission of the Church, the National Directorate of Social Communications has organised a 3-day training/workshop for all Diocesan and Religious Congregations Directors of Social Communications.
The programme commenced on Monday, March 21, 2022 and is with the theme, “Capacity building for media literacy and digital presence”. It is expected to run till Thursday, March 24, 2022.
At the opening Mass presided over by the Director of Social Communications, Abuja Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Tor Alumuku, the Homilist, Fr. Justin Udomah charged the participants to embrace forgiveness in order to also enjoy the grace of being forgiven by God.
During the welcome ceremony, the National Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Michael Nsikak Umoh introduced the Secretary General of CSN, Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Samjumi to the Directors. In his address, Fr. Samjumi welcomed all the Directors to CSN, emphasising the need for the training/workshop. He observed that “we are in the era of Social Communications” which calls for continuous update of the knowledge of the Directors. He commended the efforts of the National Director in repositioning the media apostolate of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, particularly on the ComWEEK initiative and the Nigeria Catholic network app, and charged all the Directors to key into the whole initiative. “Rome is aware and is watching how we are going to do it. There are high expectations of the Church in Nigeria” he said.
Fr. Samjumi further thanked the Directors for coming to CSN, noting that there is need for a link between the Dioceses and the Conference through the CSN offices. He said “Dioceses are autonomous but cannot afford to be on their own without a link to the Conference.” The Diocesan Directors of Social Communications are that link.
Other Directors at CSN who were present at the ceremony presented their goodwill messages. The Deputy Secretary General and Director of Pastoral Affairs, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo explained the interconnection between communication, liturgy and canon law. He noted that “there is a fundamental relationship between communication and liturgy, adding that God himself is communication.” He also explained that some sections of canon law stipulate how we should engage the media. He concluded that “in fact, every aspect of the Church is linked to communication” and encouraged the Directors to give full attention to the training sessions.
The Director of Pontifical Mission Societies, Rev. Fr. Solomon Zaku, while welcoming the Directors applauded Fr. Umoh for his passion and the great work he was doing and for his high sense of collaboration with his Directorate and others in CSN. He admonished the Directors to actively participate in the training and pledged support to Fr. Umoh where or whenever there is a need.
Also present to welcome the Directors was the Director of Mission and Dialogue, CSN, Rev. Fr. Joseph Tile Nomhwange who encouraged the Directors to be attentive to the training and open to learning. The President of Signis Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku invited all the Directors to an international experience of attending the SIGNIS Congress in Seoul Korea from August 16 to 19, 2022.
Also present were representatives of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN) and Catholic Artistes and Entertainers Association of Nigeria (CAEAN). Both representatives appealed to the Directors to make their associations visible in their dioceses, while CAMPAN specifically requested CSN Communications Director to replicate the training for the association. The training/workshop proceed with sessions on demystifying the Nigeria Catholic Network App, the ComWEEK Programme and Elements of producing short documentaries.
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