This Friday, 6 June, the Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference will host a seminar in Saint Patricks’ College, Maynooth, on the theme of ‘Communicating Christian Hope.’ The event, to be held in the context of World Communications Day 2025, is a contribution by the Bishops’ Conference to this universal Jubilee Year of Hope that is currently being celebrated in Rome and throughout the Catholic Church this year. 2025 also marks the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the CCO by the late Bishop Edward Daly.
The communications seminar will be addressed by international journalists, husband and wife, Colm Flynn and Paola Arriaza of EWTN, Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin, and speakers representing the voice of mothers, young people, clergy, business professionals, CCO colleagues from Bishops’ agencies working in overseas aid and climate justice, drugs and alcohol, and education. The audience will include diocesan communications officers and Catholic media.
Ahead of the seminar and speaking as chair of the Communications Council of the Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Martin welcomed the annual papal message for World Day for Social Communications, which this year carried an added poignancy as it was the final such statement by the late Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. The message, themed Share with gentleness the hope that is in your heart, was released on 24 January to mark feast of Saint Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists.
Archbishop Martin described this message as “a short but insightful reflection” tailored, not only for those in traditional media, but also for all communicators in the digital space. The Primate highlighted the importance that Pope Francis placed on spreading hope through communications, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope.
“In the context of Pope Francis’ message, I encourage all those working in media and journalism in Ireland – North and South – to consider reporting and publishing opinion articles that offer hope and positivity,” Archbishop Martin said. “There are so many uplifting stories across this island – acts of kindness and perseverance that showcase the very best of humanity. Yet, news feeds often dwell on despair and negativity.”
Archbishop Martin praised the late Pope’s direct challenge to the media’s role in fostering division and fear, referencing his critique of modern communication as being “characterised by disinformation and polarisation.” He echoed Pope Francis’ appeal to “take risks for hope,” describing it as a hidden yet tenacious virtue that can unite society in service of the common good.
He added, “It is not easy to be a Christian communicator, but Pope Francis reminded us that the Lord is with us. Our communication should reflect gentleness and closeness, modelled on Jesus of Nazareth, the greatest communicator of all time.”
Archbishop Martin concluded with a call to action, quoting the Pope’s final pastoral guidance: to nurture one’s inner life, to be mindful of others’ faces, and to communicate with a spirit that heals, builds bridges, and writes ‘the history of our future.’
