Be Free from Fear, Nuncio urges Christian scribe

Dhaka, Bangladesh – “Catholic journalists must be deeply involved in the culture of the people and touch their feelings. They must also be free from external restraint and internal fear,” said Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, Archbishop Paul Cheng In–Nam, speaking at the conclusion of the South Asian Catholic Press Association (SACPA) seminar on the Challenge of Peace and Harmony for a Better Society held in November.

Speaking to the 22 delegates from Nepal, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, the Nuncio said Catholic journalists today must be like St. Paul who proclaimed the Good News to the people of Athens at the Aeropagaus. “We must present the Gospel according to the situations, needs and contexts of the people,” he said.

The archbishop said journalists need freedom from oppressive laws and external forces that threaten them. They also need to be free from internal fear and timidity to express what they believe. It is unfortunate that many journalists suffer violence, some are imprisoned and even killed for their work, the Nuncio pointed out.

Recalling the Pope’s concern and attention for the media, Archbishop Paul Cheng In–Nam said the SACPA seminar is a reminder that all of us need to search for peace and harmony. But we cannot obtain peace by renouncing justice and truth because peace is the fruit of justice and truth, he urged.