São Tomé and Príncipe’s Catholic Journalists, Media Practitioners Urged to “be communicators of hope”

Emphasizing the theme of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”, he reminded participants that “hope does not disappoint,” adding that the media has a significant role to foster hope.

The February 22 event brought together representatives from 14 media entities, including journalists, media professionals, and communication officers from the offices of the President of the Republic, the National Assembly, and the Prime Minister’s office. 

Fr. Serôdio noted that the Jubilee of the World of Communication is an integral part of the Jubilee Year of Hope, which Pope Francis officially launched in December 2024, and that it is the first jubilee event to be celebrated in the Diocese of São Tomé e Príncipe.

“This is the Jubilee of the world of communication. It is for journalists, media professionals, broadcasters, technicians, and communication experts—everyone who has the mission of informing others. This first jubilee is not just a single day; it is a yearlong journey,” he said.

Fr. Serôdio underscored the importance of capacity building for media practitioners, adding that despite technological advancements, human beings remain at the heart of communication and need to be open to learning.

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“The human person cannot be replaced, not even by artificial intelligence,” the Vicar General of the São Tomé e Príncipe Diocese said.

He advocated for documentation, saying, “We can be great thinkers, and great scientists, but if no one writes a book, our wisdom remains locked within us. If no one builds a radio station, a television channel, or a newspaper, our knowledge stays with us alone.”

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.