Communication in the Diocese of Luxembourg

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Statuts / Statuten

Communication in the Diocese of Luxembourg - Theses

A document of the Diocesan Commission “Communication, Presse, Information”

1. Basic

1.1. Communication is essential for the practice of the faith, and indispensable for the Church’s action in the world (internal and external communication).

1.2. Within an ever-changing social environment In which many diverse groups express different visions of the world, the Catholic Church still represents an important social group even though it faces the constant challenges of declining membership and loss of trust.

1.3. Promoting good communication in today’s society, means significantly improving internal communication through working in partnership and an openness to dialogue on all levels. It also means striving for external communication that shows in an honest, open and courageous way that belief in the power of love is the way of Jesus, and therefore the way of Christians.

1.4. Sooner or later, bad, or dysfunctional internal communication will inevitably lead to bad external communication. Some of the real crises - and also many incidents which turn out to be a “storm in a teacup”- that damage the Church’s public image and call its credibility into question, are self inflicted. Such crises could at least be minimised- if not completely avoided- by a more consistent internal communication structure in which all members of the Church would play their part.

1.5. Today the process of forming public opinion takes place more and more in, and through, the media. The media have become essential tools for communication between people who do not meet each other face-to-face. External communication therefore entails, above all, media relations. Three basic values are essential for media relations: honesty, openness and transparency- values which of course also apply to internal communication.

1.6. People often express what is really important to them in, and through, the media. If the Church can play a part in this process by proposing ways to offer meaning and faith, and through reports about the life of the Church and the faith of Christians, then it is also proclaiming the kingdom of God.

1.7. The Church has also to be an advocate for those people in our society or in the ’global village’ which our world is becoming, who are being marginalised. The Church’s work in promoting good communication therefore also means providing these people with a voice, and defending their interests- both internally and externally.
2. Internal communication

2.1. Internal communication concerns the members of the Catholic Church in Luxembourg. It is focused on specific target groups and includes both a wide range of information, and a corresponding range of communication methods.

2.2. The following range of information is to be put into place, or developed:
2.2.1. A newsletter in which the diversity of the Church and its sources of information are depicted, containing news from the Church in Luxembourg, coverage of important events in the Church globally, sources of information on religious and spiritual matters, (guides for prayer, liturgical information, discussion forums,…) and details of educational opportunities and cultural events.
2.2.2. Basic information on what it means to be Christian and to be part of the Church today.
2.2.3. Times of liturgical services, also available on the Internet
2.2.4. A practical and pastoral information service (E.g. what do I do if….?)

2.3. The following range of communication activities should be initiated or supported:
2.3.1. Stands in churches providing religious and spiritual literature and music as well as videos and DVDs
2.3.2. Actions to bring people into contact with Christian art and culture
2.3.3. A calendar with events for the year, containing dates of national and local Church feast days
2.3.4. Attractive “decorative features” to place in chapels and churches (for different events and festivals)
2.3.5. Maintenance of a religious press close to communities (e.g. parish bulletins), through providing templates and suggestions for their design, and through training opportunities for all collaborators.

2.4. A diocesan festival, a day for all members of the Church to meet each other should be set up and take place regularly.

2.5. The yearly Marian pilgrimage and other important events of the whole Church in Luxembourg should be renewed in order to respond to the religious and spiritual needs of today’s society.

2.6. Annual themes should be launched and communicated over the whole year, paraphrased, and discussed on all levels.

2.7. The group of full time and voluntary collaborators should receive the following opportunities specifically targeted to their group:
2.7.1. Training opportunities, above all in the areas of communication, media studies, dialogue, team work, public speaking, dealing with the press, and computer and internet courses.
2.7.2. Easily available and precise information, reports and documents from the Church and society.

2.8. Regular social events to allow all collaborators to come together, as well as to exchange experiences and know-how, should take place or be initiated.

2.9. The use of media for educational purposes, and the critical evaluation of the media, represent important areas of internal communication. This work should continue to be supported.

3. External communication

3.1. As already stated in 1.4., external communication, above all, entails media work. It is possible to differentiate between press relations, public relations, and one’s own productions (internet website, radio programmes, newspaper supplements,…) even if the boundaries between these three areas are blurred.

3.2. Active and committed participation in society’s discussions and debates (which take place mostly in the media) must occur in a straightforward way, and should offer constructive criticism. The Christian understanding of humanity and of the world must be clearly expressed. These types of discussions and debates are also to be initiated or promoted (e.g. through the setting up of discussion forums, round table discussions, etc.).

3.3. Press relations for the Catholic Church in Luxembourg includes the following:
3.3.1. Press releases, put together in a professional manner, sent regularly to all media sources
3.3.2. Organisation of press conferences on important occasions
3.3.3. Responding to questions from journalists
3.3.4. Responding to requests for interviews
3.3.5. Building up good, reliable relationships with representatives of the media.
3.3.6. Compiling a press review with all relevant articles on church and society, and maintaining archives of these articles.

3.4. Public relations work for the Catholic Church in Luxembourg means giving positive information about “Christian life today”, and if required, removing any existing misconceptions about Christianity and the Church. What this means is:
3.4.1. Organising campaigns aimed at informing the public about the various ways Christians and the Church engage with society, as well as the underlying beliefs which underpin this engagement.
3.4.2. Regular publication of reports (yearly reports) on Church activities.
3.4.3. Organisation of social events (e.g. religious film or music festivals)
3.4.4. Compiling and publishing information on Christianity and Church life, or on Church feasts, …
3.4.5. Supporting and co-ordinating good communication and media relations in diocesan projects, which have a public impact
3.4.6. Advising pastoral communities, parishes, Church groups and associations and movements on public relations issues.

3.5. The diocese’s involvement with the Internet will undoubtedly take on much greater importance. This medium can serve part of the internal and external communication by offering information on the services of different offices, and regular columns on questions on the meaning of life, information on Christianity, the Church, religion, spirituality, etc.
In addition to the design, maintenance and update of the website, www.cathol.lu, a service of advice and support for the design and construction of parish and other diocesan office and association websites, should be offered.

3.6. The annual “Social Communication Day” creates the opportunity for maintaining links with people who work in the media, and at the same time, provides members of the church with an opportunity to reflect on aspects of media communication and media ethics.

3.7. The production of the Church’s own regular radio programmes on Church and social issues to be made available to radio stations, represents one possibility for gaining a public presence beyond the print media.

3.8. The constant observation and analysis of the media in Luxembourg remains an important pre-requisite to respond quickly and with foresight to the speedy development of media and society, and to be able to act accordingly.

(Translated into English from German original)

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