THEME FOR WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY 2001 IS ANNOUNCED

VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2000 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Social Communications announced today that the theme chosen by Pope John Paul for World Communications Day 2001 is "'Preach from the Housetops': The Gospel in the Age of Global Communications."

A council communique notes that "the theme reflects the intense interest of the Holy Father in the new evangelization at the dawn of a new millennium. In fact, Jesus' command to teach all nations can now be realized almost instantaneously and universally, since global communications make it possible to reach hundreds of millions of homes with the same message."

Today's press release adds that World Communications Day is the only worldwide celebration called for by Vatican Council II, in the 1963 document "Inter Mirifca." It is celebrated in most countries, on the recommendation of the bishops of the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost: In 2001 it falls on May 27.

The Holy Father's message is traditionally published in conjunction with the January 24 memorial of St. Francis de Sales, patron of journalists, in order to allow bishops' conferences and diocesan offices time to prepare materials for national and local celebrations of World Communications Day.

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