TO JOURNALISTS: BE INSTRUMENTS OF RECONCILIATION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 3, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, presided at an ecumenical celebration of the Word for participants in the Jubilee of Journalists.

Before the celebration, those present passed through the basilica's Holy Door. The liturgy of the Word then took place, followed by a profession of faith by three representatives of other Churches and ecclesial communities.

In his homily, Cardinal Cassidy requested that all those who write on themes that concern religion and religious events be "specifically trained for this delicate and important task. No editor worth the name would ask a journalist to report a political or sporting event if that person were not competent and able to discuss and write on the subject. Why is it then, that journalists who completely lack the necessary background are charged with informing us on religious matters?"

After highlighting that one task of journalists is to "show the public the divisions and violence that exist between members of a family, of rival groups and of nations," he added that journalists' work must also contribute to reconciliation. He concluded: "Make of this Jubilee 2000 a moment of reconciliation, becoming once again instruments of reconciliation in your work and in your homes! Be a true gift for the society in which you live and for the world!"

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