Day #365: Inter Mirifica 22-24

Today we complete our reading of the Decree on the Media of Social Communications and our reading of all the documents of Vatican II!  Congratulations to all who made it through to the end!

Article 22 finishes off Chapter II by speaking also of the need for the national groups mentioned in article 21 to coordinate with each other on an international level.

Lastly, the document concludes with some appendices which explictly call for the Holy See to “issue a pastoral instruction” (article 23) and also calls for all people of good will to abide by the instructions of the document in order that the media may be properly used and of benefit to all (article 24).

Here is the footnote:

(2) Hebrews 13:8.

Day #364: Inter Mirifica 18-21

Today in the Decree on the Media of Social Communications, we continue with Chapter II “On the Pastoral Activity of the Church.”

Article 18 speaks of the need for each diocese to remind the faithful of their responsibilites towards promoting good media every year.

The responsibility for looking out for good media rests in a special way on the pope (article 19), the bishops (article 20), and ought to also be looked after by bishops on a national level (article 21).

No footnotes.

Day #363: Inter Mirifica 15-17

Today in the Decree on the Media of Social Communications, we continue with Chapter II “On the Pastoral Activity of the Church.”

Article 15 speaks of the need for priests and lay people to be well traqined in these forms of media, and also to receive a good moral formation so that they may produce good media and also be good media critics.

Article 16 speaks of the need for quality media that will help form young people in Christian moral principles.

Article 17 speaks of the need for us all to support these Catholic media ventures so that lack of funds does not hamper ministry endeavors.

No footnotes.

Day #362: Inter Mirifica 13-14

Today in the Decree on the Media of Social Communications, we begin Chapter II “On the Pastoral Activity of the Church.”

Article 13 introduces the chapter by stating that both pastors and laity need to use the media in service of the Church’s missionary activity.

Article 14 speaks of the importance of fostering a good press, and even establishing a Catholic press that can present the news in ways that is consistent with a Catholic worldview.

No footnotes.

Day #361: Inter Mirifica 11-12

Today in the Decree on the Media of Social Communications, we finish the first chapter.

Article 11 puts the main responsibility for moral media on those who create it.  They have an obligation not to oppose the common good and to create media that has a positive impact on youth.

Article 12 speaks of the responsibilites of the public authority in making sure that the media serves the common good.

No footnotes.

Day #360: Inter Mirifica 8-10

Today in the Decree on the Media of Social Communications, we continue with the first chapter’s look at Church teaching.

Article 8 speaks of the need “to form and spread sound public opinion” that is consistent with justice and charity.  Article 9 speaks to those who consume media and calls us to patronize media that is moral and avoid anything that might cause us to sin or endanger others through our bad example.  Article 10 speaks of the importance, especially for youth, to exercise temperance in consuming media and to evaluate it critically.

No footnotes.

Day #359: Inter Mirifica 5-7

Today in the Decree on the Media of Social Communications, we continue with the first chapter’s look at Church teaching.

Article 5 speaks of the advantages that new forms of communication have in disseminating news, but emphasizes that charity is absolutely necessary.  Article 6 speaks of how even the arts are subject to the moral order, making the point that calling something “art” does not excuse people from using media in immoral ways.  Article 7 speaks of the “portrayal of moral evil” and how it can be beneficial or harful depending on how it is done.  And, of course, it needs to be done in a way that is beneficial.

Here is the footnote:

(1) Corinthians 8:1.

Day #358: Inter Mirifica 3-4

In today’s reading from the Decree on the Media of Social Communications, we begin Chapter I: “On the Teaching of the Church.”

In light of Jesus’ mandate to preach the Gospel, the Church has a right to use all forms of media towards that end (article 3).

Those who use these media must be properly trained in morality.  Further, each form of media must be evaluated in terms of how it works (article 4).

No footnotes.

Day #357: Inter Mirifica 1-2

Today we begin the final document of our one-year reading plan: the Decree on the Media of Social Communications.  Though we are reading this document last, it was actually the second document promulgated (behind Sacrosanctum Concilium).  These two documents were the only ones promulgated in the second year of the Council, which implies a quick consensus amongst the Council Fathers on this subject.

Though the means of social communications available now (50 years later) is substantially different than what was available back then, the general principles the Council Fathers lay down are remarkably timeless.

In the Introduction we read today, the Church recognizes the great increase in these new forms of social media which enable the communication of ideas to large masses of people.  The Council Fathers recognize that these tools can be used well in service of the Church and also used poorly.  Thus this document wants to answer the questions that arise in order that they may be used well.

No footnotes.