CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, NOV. 10, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The challenge facing professional communicators is to promote dialogue, the centrality of the person, and communion, say conferees at an international congress.
The congress, whose theme was “Silence and Word: The Light,” was held Nov. 5-7 at the Mariapolis Center of Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
It was organized by Net One, worldwide network of communicators and projects that stems from the charism of the Focolare Movement.
“Creativity can again place the person at the center of the interests of all communicators,” said Michele Zanzucchi, a director of Net One.
Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, addressed the meeting via a videoconference in which she spoke about “Mary as Model of Communication, Encouragement, and Example for Us.”
Brazilian sociologist Vera Araújo spoke about a “culture of communication in which the person, a relational being, is at the heart.”
Focolare spokeswoman Carla Cotignoli and Argentine journalist Héctor Lorenzo opened the working sessions emphasizing that “the dimension of dialogue is inscribed in the DNA of every human being, it is the very nature of communication.”
Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, addressed the congress — which gathered 800 professionals and professors of communication — on the importance of silence in communication.
“To be credible communicators of the most important message the world has ever received and can ever receive, we must be men and women of silence — of silent reflection, of quiet observation, of unobtrusive charity,” said the American prelate.
“Too many today think and speak superficially, from the surface alone. We must speak from the depths of our being, from the depths of our faith,” he added.
Family Theater Productions of Hollywood announced at the congress that it will confer the Life Achievement Award on Chiara Lubich, for her use of the means of communication in carrying out her service to the Church and the family.
Several religions were represented at the congress, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as denominational Christianity.
