Catholic communicators, clergy, religious and lay faithful converged on the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, on Sunday, May 21, 2023, to celebrate the 57th World Communications Day, as well as listen to the Holy Father, Pope Francis’ message that dwelt on speaking the truth with love. The event with the theme, “Speaking with the heart: The Truth in love (Eph. 4:15)”, began with Eucharistic celebration, and culminated in a Media Conference with the local ordinary, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, ably represented by Rt. Rev. John Aniagwu, Vicar General, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, at the Cathedral Hall. Delivering the Welcome Address on the occasion, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Director, Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos said though people often say that truth is bitter, truth saves and liberates, according to the words of Jesus Christ in the gospel of John 8:32, which states, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Fr. Godonu said the truth must be told in love, as he added that this is the only way people can win the hearts of those who listen to them.
“An African proverb has it that, ‘Truth should be in love and love in truth.’ It is for this reason, that the theme for this year’s World Communications Day as given by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, is centred on seeking and communicating the truth in love”, he said. He noted that the theme chosen by the Holy Father cannot be truer and relevant to the Nigerian situation as the people have it currently. He said: “In our nation today, we have been divided along tribal, religious, and party lines, so much so that we are no longer willing and ready to speak and accept the truth in love. We have become a nation where the innocent has become guilty and the guilty proclaimed innocent. “If we are to enjoy the fruits of this land, we must communicate and be open to the ‘Truth in Love’ as admonished by Pope Francis.” Participants at the event included members of the Lagos Archdiocesan Communications Commission (LACC), members of SIGNIS Lagos, umbrella body for Catholic Media Practitioners’ of Nigeria (CAMPAN) and Catholic Artistes and Entertainers’ Association of Nigeria (CAEAN), among others.
