There is some concern about media regulation in Belarus. This was reported by chairman of the Pontifical Council for Mass Communications, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli on April 13 during a press conference at the Church of St. Simon and Helen in Minsk. "For the time spent here I've been twice asked by journalists about the regulation. This means that some concern lives in your hearts," he said.
«I believe that the road to truth is not easy. This is the path of trials. I want to emphasize that the Church should promote dialogue with other people. But not always this dialogue takes place in a spirit of mutual respect, and it’s not that easy to establish this dialogue. I wish your country to hold dialogue in a spirit of mutual respect between different parts in search of good for the whole country,» said the archbishop.
At the same time he would not specifically comment on the situation in Belarus by providing the right to the heads of Belarusian Catholics and Orthodox — Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz and Filaret (Vakhromeyev). «The Holy See does not take into account some individual countries by declaring certain principles and highlighting some of the issues. He’s looking more broadly, looking at the international level, the problems arising in different countries,» said the hierarch.
Church Shouldn’t be Opposition Party, Chelly
The church must actively protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, but it should not interfere in politics. «There are times, of which the Church must speak clearly and strongly. But not in the political game. We cannot become an opposition political party,» said chairman of the Pontifical Council for Mass Communications, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli during a press conference at the Church of St. Simon and Helen in Minsk on April 13.
«We seek to protect a person, his dignity, his freedom. No real way can be without truth for a person. It is a challenge that we must take every day. In some countries this challenge even threaten the life or work. Quest of Church is support those who defend human dignity in the field of information,» said the Catholic hierarchy.
According to Telegraf correspondent, the archbishop stressed the complicated nature of journalism. He urged the church to be with those engaged in this work. Claudio Maria Celli said that the Catholic church is in favor of truth and justice in the sphere of media and politics. As an example, he cited the fate of the saint patron of politicians — Chancellor of King Henry VIII, Thomas More, who had lost his head for his beliefs. «Maybe today they do not deprived the head, but conscience is subject to huge trials,» said the Vatican representative.
Celli Called for Regulation of Internet
«We stand for a certain regulation of the Internet. First of all, it concerns the protection of the underaged. Civil society must be very seriously interested in protecting of the young during the Internet use. The public should be concerned about the protection of children, who, being in a rather delicate stage of development, may find whatever they want on the Internet,» said the archbishop.
He compared the Internet to the highway, where certain rules should be observed to avoid problems. «There will always be some tension between freedom in its absolute meaning and rules of conduct in society,» said the hierarch.
According to him, information ethics, based on four pillars: truth, justice, freedom and love, is needed for the protection of human personality through the social communication. Therefore, media must work for the good of truth and good, otherwise discord and distrust will arise in the society, says Claudio Maria Celli.
