His Holiness Pope Francis yesterday stressed the essence of communication in the context of “Family Communication”, saying it is not an abstract concept but a living reality.
This was contained in his message during the commemoration of the 49th World Communications Day, which took place yesterday across the globe.In his message with the theme: “Communicating the Family: A Privileged Place of Encounter with the Gift of Love”, the Pope said that “it is in the context of the family that we first learn how to communicate” just as he emphasised that “communication in the family can help to make our relationship more authentic and humane.”
According to him, “the family is not an abstract concept but a living reality. It is in the family that we learn to embrace and support one another.  It is in the family we strive to discern the meaning of facial expression and moments of silence, to laugh and cry together with people who do not choose one another; yet are so important to each other.”
The Pope stressed the fact that overcoming the challenges of both the conventional and social media can help the family and the society to become more welcoming and inclusive to everyone.
In a related development, the family unit has been challenged to adhere to the progressive communion of gathering and positive cultivation of life rather than allow the media, particularly the social media to tear the family and the world apart.
Archbishop Augustine Akubeze gave the charge yesterday at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Benin City during the Catholic Media Practitioners’ (CAMP) commemoration of the World Communications Day.
The Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan See who was represented by Rev. Fr. Paschal Omono, observed that irrespective of the advantages of the social media, there exist certain inherent imperfections that are capable of working against the family and the cultivation of life as designed by God.
While warning against addiction and other negative values being transmitted in the media, the clergy however noted that what we hear and see as humans, sometimes affect our conscience.
He told media practitioners to intensify their efforts and seek the grace of God to confront the overwhelming challenges they face in their profession, because, according to him, “our society seems to be allergic to the truth.
Highlights of the celebration were the thanksgiving by the Catholic Media Practitioners and blessing of their working tools.