MALAWI: Use ICT to advance Church News, says Bishop Tambala

Bishop Chairman for Social Communications and Research Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi

(ECM), His Lordship George Tambala has challenged agents of evangelisation to embrace the use of Information, Communication Technology (ICT) in sharing the word of God and activates undertaken by the Church.

Speaking in Mangochi on 20^th, September, 2017 during the opening of a three-day workshop for Pastoral and Communication Secretaries from all the eight Catholic dioceses in Malawi, Bishop Tambala who is the Bishop for the Diocese of Zomba said that, the modern world is being affected by the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) adding that, some organizations have embraced the idea well and are benefiting from the fruits of ICT.

“Others have not yet welcomed this new baby, still more others have embraced it but misuse it. Hence our gathering here to put our heads together on how we can help people embrace ICT and use it responsibly,” said Bishop Tambala.

While quoting Pope Francis message during this year’s World Communication’s Day, Bishop Tambala said, “News can be good or bad, true or false therefore, let us pray so that communication in all of its forms, be effectively constructive at the service of truth and that it may reject prejudice and spread hope and trust in our time.”

Speaking at the same workshop, Director of Luntha Television of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Andrew Kaufa who was one of the facilitators said that, time had come for the Church through its agents to adapt the use of social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs and Skype.

Fr. Kaufa added that, embracing the new technology would require the Catholic media to invest in ICT gadgets such as: Computers, Laptops, Smartphones, Tablets, Ipads and Internet.

The workshop was also attended by representatives of the Association of Catholic Journalists in Malawi, Rectors from Kachebere and St. Peter’s Major Seminary and directors of Catholic Media Houses in Malawi.

This workshop tackled real and pertinent issues that affect the Church ranging from the Seminary formation to the issues affecting people on the ground.

National Communication Secretary at ECM, Fr. Godino Phokoso said the workshop was mainly aimed at orienting participants on the advantages and disadvantages of new media technologies within the Church set up.

The workshop was financially supported by SIGNIS, an association of Catholic Communicators worldwide.

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