EDE MARCH 29, 2016 (CISA) – Fr Chris Anyanwu, of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), has declared that over-reliance on communication technology cannot facilitate authentic communication.
He said this while issuing a keynote address at Our Lady and St. Kizito’s Pastoral centre in Ede, Osun state during the first Plenary Assembly of the Religious Directors of Catholic Communicators in Nigeria, recently.
“Authentic Communication is facilitated by the human heart and the capacity to use the means at the disposal of professional communicators effectively,” said Fr Anyanwu, the CSN director of Social Communications.
The theme of the plenary—“Communication and Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter “ was taken from the Pope Francis’ message on World Communications Day celebration 2016.
Fr Okodua, who spoke as a representative of the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese and represented the Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of Ibadan, touched on the importance of communication in the life of the church, the society and humanity.
“Communication as a phenomenon has divine roots, it is a construct that first defines the relationship between God and humanity,” he said.
“I dare to say communication is the string that connects something with every other thing in the world. Without communication, everyone will be a stranger to every other person….” added Fr Okodua.
Fr Anyanwu also noted that social networks can facilitate relationships and promote the good of the society, but can also lead to further polarization and division between individuals and groups, if not wisely used.
“I therefore call on the religious diocesan directors to use all means of their communication at their disposal wisely to promote human values and not destroy it,” he said.
