The Episcopal Conferences of Europe have inaugurated a new information portal that offers each Conference the chance to disseminate news about its initiatives. The articles are automatically translated into the 32 languages spoken in Europe. (www.eurocathinfo.eu) “This necessary instrument is the fruit of the communion of bishops,” said Cardinal Peter Erdo, president of the Council… Read more »
News flashes
Farewell to Pierre Babin, Missionary-Communicator
Pierre Babin, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and a renowned expert in the field of religious communication, has died at the age of 87. Fr. Babin, who was passionately interested in the mass media and sociology, founded the Crec Avex Research and Training Center in Ecully (near Lyon) France, where hundreds… Read more »
A Film To Commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesians)
Maìn: The House of Happiness: this is the title of a film on the life of Sr. Maria Domenica Mazzarello (affectionately known as Maìn), the religious who helped Don Bosco found the Institute of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. The film, which premiered in Rome on 4 May 2012 in the auditorium of… Read more »
World Book Day
UNESCO has proclaimed 23 April as World Book Day. Now in its 15th year, the event is meant to restore primacy to books and help kids get to know them. The celebration encourages people to read and to frequent book stores and libraries. UNESCO, in collaboration with a committee made up of the International Publishers… Read more »
Death of Fr. Jacob Srampickal, SJ
A frequent guest-teacher at various universities throughout the world, Fr. Srampickal headed numerous media and communications organizations. He was a member of the International Film Festival’s ecumenical jury, a consultant for the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, the director of the Interdisicplinary Center for Social Communications, and a professor at the Gregorian University, Rome, his… Read more »
International Journalism Festival 2012
The 6th edition of the International Journalism Festival, open to journalists from all over the world, will be held in Perugia, Italy from 25-29 April. Festival venues, located in the historic buildings of the city’s medieval downtown zone, will host over 200 events and more than 450 guest speakers, who will gather to discuss journalism,… Read more »
Babyradio: The first online radio station for children
Babyradio was born in Spain as the first online radio station with programming exclusively catering to children. The goal is to be available to the very youngest children 24 hours a day with unique programs composed of a series of entertaining educational content. Through songs, stories and music, the three Andalusian professionals who promoted this… Read more »
World Day of Poetry
March 21 marks the World Day of Poetry, established by the UNESCO General Conference in 1999. The date, which coincides with the first day of spring, acknowledges that poetry holds a privileged place in the promotion of dialogue and intercultural understanding, of linguistic and cultural diversity, and of communication and peace. Over the years, UNESCO… Read more »
First Synod of the Laity in India
Within the next few months, the All India Catholic Union (AICU), one of the most important Catholic lay associations in India, will be involved in organizing the first Synod of Indian Catholics. This is an historic occasion for the 17 million Catholics, to be held, according to the organizers, in 2012, the 50th anniversary of… Read more »
ITALY Even the Pope is on Twitter
The Pope will soon have his own Twitter account to use for his Sunday Angelus and the more important discourses, according to Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. An initial trial is already underway beginning with Lent. Through the account @pope2you, which was created to help young people get… Read more »