Catholic Church Umuahia Diocese Ends Week Long Activities to Celebrate CAMPAN
BY BENJAMIN KALU, UMUAHIA
The Umuahia Diocese of the Catholic church moderator, the Most Rev Father Michael Kalu Ukpong, have tasked the members of Catholic Media Practitioners Association Of Nigeria, known as CAMPAN to be use communication to improve the society
The Most Rev. Michael Ukpong pointed out that Communication was solely designed to bring peace and harmony among the people and also improve the society.
During his sermon at Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, to mark the 2023 World Communication celebration of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Bishop Michael Ukpong, who stressed the need for Media Organizations in our society, to always Communicate the truth to people, and avoid being used by some Political Actors to propagate false information to the public.
He reminded the people that only an accurate, unadulterated and truthful information, can promotes peace, unity and love in our society and enjoined them, to always be conscious of what they communicate to people, to avoid facing the wrath of God for propagating lies.
He tasked the body of Christ to always come together in their submission to God and pray fervently to overcome the plans of the devil’s activities in our lives.
Delivering his lecture, which was centered on the theme, the celebration, of Speaking With The Heart, the Rv Prof Mike Uka, said that, the Truth In Love”, at the Umuahia Catholic Diocese Secretariat, shortly after the mass, Rev. Prof Ukah noted that speaking with the heart involves engaging others in a dialogue, as God reveals himself to His people through an intimate relationship with our God.
He also also disclosed that the modern means of communication has helped the Church in spreading the gospel to the larger society, and called on the members of CAMPAN to heed the words of Pope Francis which says that they should not be afraid of proclaiming the truth even when it makes us unpopular in the society, as well as stand by the truth at any time.
Prof Ukah therefore charged the Umuahia Catholic Media Practitioners to always engage in a truthful communication.
Also speaking, the Chairman on the Occasion, Mr Uche Nnaoma appreciated the Church for setting aside such a day, for recognizing the role of the media practitioners in our society.
Adding his his voice, Mr Chimdi Oluoha, who happened to be the chairman of CAMPAN, said that, the annual event, gives the media, the opportunity to reach out to the greater number of the people in the society.
In his own contribution, the CAMPAN Director of Social Communication in Umuahia Catholic Church Diocese, the Rev. Fr. Dr. Leonard Ehiemere, described this year theme of the event as very interesting and advised all to support CAMPAN, in getting to next level.
In their separate speeches, Mr Ogbonnay Iheaka, a former NUJ chairman in state, Pastor Ralph Egbu, a one time SSG in the state and Prof Paul Mbakwa ot the Department of History and International Relations, Abia State University Uturu, called on the journalists, to always defend the truth in their journalism carrier.
In a closing remark, the organizing committee Chairman Committee, Hycianth Okoli expresses his happiness that the week long programme was a huge success and appreciated all those who came to grace the occasion.
The highlight of the occasion, was a cultural displayed by the Catholic Church school children.
