KENYA: Bishop Muhatia Challenges Catholic Media Practitioners to stand Firm For The Truth

The Catholic Bishop of Nakuru Diocese Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba has challenged all Catholic media practitioners to use their opportunity as communicators for the purpose of spreading the Gospel. The Bishop was speaking during the occasion of World Communications Day Celebrations held in Nakuru Diocese on Saturday, May 11.

“Yes we are using the current media platforms, but we have to ask ourselves three key questions as Catholic media practitioners: what is the content of our Catholic communication; what are the results of our communication; and finally, what are the challenges facing Christian and Catholic media houses in the world today,” Bishop Muhatia said.

Appreciating the fact that the Catholic Church has fully embraced the use of modern means of communication, for instance the fact that the Diocese of Nakuru has two Catholic Radio stations, Radio Amani and Radio Umoja, Bishop Muhatia underscored the need to use every means of communications at our disposal to spread the Gospel and that the content of our communication should be the message of truth and of restoration.

“We must be aware that the content of Christian communication comes from Jesus Christ. The content of Catholic Communications revolves around Jesus Christ without which our communication as Christians is empty and has no meaning. The Church encourages us to embrace the modern means of communications for the purpose of spreading the Gospel, She wants us to multiply our mouths, eyes and ears so that the Gospel message reaches as many people as possible,” Bishop Muhatia said, adding that this should be the result of the Catholic Communication.

Concerning the Challenges facing the Catholic media, Bishop Muhatia pointed out the tendency of being swayed by the opinion and practice of other secular media houses. He therefore urged Catholic media practitioners to be firm so that they are not influenced.

“We are living in a world that is hostile to the truth, a world that is hostile to the Gospel message. You Catholic media practitioners must therefore stand firm and tell the world like Jesus that ‘We have the words of eternal life.’ Each one of you must recognize oneself as an important medium of communication for the spread of the Gospel.”

He further indicated that like he did to the disciples in those days, Jesus is also asking us the question, ‘Will you also go away’?

“Will you, Catholic media practitioners adopt the message of the world and the teaching of the world just because the Catholic teaching is difficult? This is the real challenge today which you cannot ignore. The world is inviting you day in day out and is telling you that your teachings are a bit too high, try to lower your standards, will you oblige?” Bishop Muhatia posed.

According to the Nakuru Diocese Communications Coordinator Sr. Michele Njeri, the event aimed at celebrating the fruits of Social Communications in the diocese.

The celebrations were attended by, among others, the AMECEA Social Communications Department Coordinator Rev. Fr. Andrew Kaufa, Homabay Diocese Communications coordinator, participants from Institute of Social Communications at Tangaza University College, representatives from Radio Mitume of Kitale Diocese, Daughters of St. Paul’s Paulines Publications, as well as representatives from the Communications Commission at Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).

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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News