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Modern Technology |
" The
Church...[believes] that its task
involves employing the means of social communication to announce
the good news of salvation and to teach men how to use them
properly." (Second Vatican Council)
"Whether
we are young or old, let us rise to the challenge of new
discoveries and technologies by bringing to them a moral vision
rooted in our religious faith, in our respect for the human
person, and our commitment to transform the world in accordance
with God's plan." (Pope John Paul II)
"It
was for God's faithful people to make creative use of the new
discoveries and technologies for the benefit of humanity and the
fulfillment of God's plan for the world. This recognition of rapid
change and this openness to new developments have proved timely in
the years that followed, for the pace of changes and development
has continued to accelerate. Today, for example, one no longer
thinks or speaks of social communications as mere instruments or
technologies. Rather they are now seen as part of a still
unfolding culture whose full implications are as yet imperfectly
understood and whose potentialities remain for the moment only
partially exploited." (Pope John Paul II)
"[L]et
us pray for wisdom in using the potential of the 'computer age' to
serve man's human and transcendent calling, and thus give glory to
the Father from whom all good things come." (Pope John Paul
II)
"Brought
to almost complete perfection by new inventions, wireless
telegraphy brings outstanding advantages to technical processes,
since, by means of a ray, pilotless machines may be directed to a
determined place. But We rightly think that the most excellent
function which falls to Radio is this: to enlighten and instruct
men, and to direct their minds and hearts towards higher and
spiritual things." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus",
1957)
"[W]hile
We ponder to what extent Radio can assist the work of the sacred
ministry, and while We are moved strongly by the command of our
Divine Redeemer, 'Going into the whole world, preach the Gospel to
every creature', We feel We must exhort you paternally, Venerable
Brethren, to strive - according to the need and resources of your
respective localities - to increase in number and make more
effective programs dealing with Catholic affairs." (Pope Pius
XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)
"Similarly,
it is to be hoped that these new arts of publicity, whether
exercised by private citizens or controlled by rulers of states,
will not spread doctrines while suppressing all mention of God's
name and taking no account of His divine law." (Pope Pius
XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)
"The
media of social communication can contribute a great deal to human
unity. If, however, men's minds and hearts are ill disposed, if
good will is not there, this outpouring of technology may produce
an opposite effect so that there is less understanding and more
discord and, as a result, evils are multiplied. Too often, we have
to watch social communications used to contradict or corrupt the
fundamental values of human life." (Pope Paul VI)
"Here
is a matter for which immediate provision is absolutely necessary:
we must ensure that all progress made, by God's favor, both in
human knowledge and in technical skill, shall in practice so serve
God's glory, the salvation of souls and the extension of Christ's
kingdom, that we all, as the Church bids us pray, may so pass
through temporal goods that we may not lose what is eternal."
(Pope Pius XI)
"But
We earnestly desire, Venerable Brethren, that these technical
instruments, by which eyes and ears are easily and pleasantly
attracted to events happening far away, should be employed to a
particular end, namely, to provide men with a broader cultural
background in the knowledge necessary for the fulfillment of their
duties, and above all, in Christian principles. If these
principles are neglected, there can be no progress worthy of the
name, even in merely human matters. We desire, therefore, to pay
due tribute of praise to all those who, whether by films or sound
broadcasting or television shows, direct their efforts towards
this most honorable goal." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda
Prorsus", 1957)
"For
We think that, then only can these new arts make their proper and
natural contribution to the right fashioning of the minds of those
who use them, if the Church, the State, and those engaged in these
professions, pooling their resources in an orderly way, cooperate
with each other to secure the desired end; if the opposite
happens, i.e. if these arts, without set laws or any moral
safeguards, embark on a downward and uninhibited path, they will
certainly restrict the people's true development and weaken their
morals." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)
"The
progress of exterior and material possessions, even though it is
to be considered of no little account, because of the manifold and
appreciable utility which it gives to life, is nonetheless not
enough for man who is born for higher and brighter destinies.
Created indeed to the image and likeness of God, he seeks God with
a yearning that will not be repressed and always groans and weeps
if he places the object of his love where Supreme Truth and the
Infinite Good cannot be found." (Pope Pius XII, "Sertum
Laetitiae", 1939)
"We
affirm once again that the Church 'sees these media as 'gifts of
God,' which in accordance with his providential design unite men
in brotherhood and so help them to cooperate with his plan for
their salvation.' As the Spirit helped the prophets of old to see
the divine plan in the signs of their times, so today the Spirit
helps the Church interpret the signs of our times and carry out
its prophetic tasks, among which the study, evaluation and right
use of communications technology and the media of social
communications are now fundamental." (Pope John Paul II)
"The
swift advances of the means of social communication tear down the
barriers that time and space have erected between men. They can
make for greater understanding and closer unity. A mass of
information is continually on the move to and from all parts of
the world, as a result, men can learn what goes on and how other
men live. Teaching at all levels has benefited by the use of these
aids. These media play their part in eliminating illiteracy and in
providing both basic and further education. They can, very
effectively, help people in developing countries to achieve
progress and freedom. They can establish a measure of universal
equality in which all men, whatever their place in society can
enjoy the delights of culture and leisure. They enrich men's
minds. They help them to keep in touch with reality by providing
the sights and sounds which are the very stuff of life. They bring
far away times and places within their grasp." (Pope Paul VI)
"Consequently
true human liberty demands that we use, and share with others, all
these resources which can contribute to the strengthening and
perfecting of our nature... Indeed, all true and active sons of
the Church, since they recognize the priceless gift of the
Redemption, are bidden to ensure, to the extent of their power,
that the Church may use these technical discoveries in so far as
they may assist the sanctification of souls... And further, let it
be permitted even to individual citizens - due regard being paid
to actual circumstances and the safeguarding of principles which
promote the common good - to contribute according to their
capacity to the enriching and development of their own and others'
intellectual and spiritual culture." (Pope Pius XII,
"Miranda Prorsus", 1957)
"For
as We said recently, 'how great is the advantage enjoyed, how
great the responsibility laid on men of the present day, and how
great the changes from times gone by when instruction in truth,
commandments of brotherly love, promises of everlasting happiness,
came slowly to men through the Apostles, treading the rough paths
of that former age; whereas, in our day, the divine message can be
conveyed to tens and hundreds of thousands of men at one and the
some time'... Everyone knows what a great contribution good radio
programs can make to sound education; yet from the use of this
instrument there arises an obligation in conscience as in the
other technical arts, since it can be employed to achieve good or
evil. Those words, then, written in Scripture, can be applied to
the art of Radio: 'By it we bless God and the Father ; and by it
we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. Out of the
same mouth proceed blessing and cursing'. [Iac. III, 9-10]"
(Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)
"Man's
genius has with God's help produced marvelous technical inventions
from creation, especially in our times. The Church, our mother, is
particularly interested in those which directly touch man's spirit
and which have opened up new avenues of easy communication of all
kinds of news, of ideas and orientations. Chief among them are
those means of communication which of their nature can reach and
influence not merely single individuals but the very masses and
even the whole of human society... The Church, our mother, knows
that if these media are properly used they can be of considerable
benefit to mankind. They contribute greatly to the enlargement and
enrichment of men's minds and to the propagation and consolidation
of the kingdom of God. But the Church also knows that man can use
them in ways that are contrary to the Creator's design and
damaging to himself. Indeed, she grieves with a mother's sorrow at
the harm all too often inflicted on society by their misuse."
(Second Vatican Council)
"But
even as the Church takes a positive, sympathetic approach to
media, seeking to enter into the culture created by modern
communications in order to evangelize effectively, it is necessary
at the very same time that the Church offer a critical evaluation
of mass media and their impact upon culture. As we have said
repeatedly, communications technology is a marvelous expression of
human genius, and the media confer innumerable benefits upon
society. But as we have also pointed out, the application of
communications technology has been a mixed blessing, and its use
for good purposes requires sound values and wise choices on the
part of individuals, the private sector, governments and society
as a whole. The Church does not presume to dictate these decisions
and choices, but it does seek to be of help by indicating ethical
and moral criteria which are relevant to the process - criteria
which are to be found in both human and Christian values."
(Pope John Paul II)
Also
Try: Employing
Means of Communication for the Benefit of the Faith | Heavenly
Patron of Modern Communications Instruments | Obligation
of Catholics to Support the Media | Social
Communication | Catholic
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