Advertisement

Catholic Media Practitioners in Ivory Coast Challenged to Be “sowers of truth, hope”

Justin Assalé

By Justin Assalé

Abidjan, 12 April, 2025 / 8:48 pm (ACI Africa).

Catholic media practitioners in Ivory Coast have been challenged to foster peace, truth, and reconciliation in their communication apostolate and to engage with their respective audiences in messages of hope.

Speaking during the Sixth National Pilgrimage of Catholic Journalists and Communicators (Pélé Jcom) in Ivory Coast on April 5, the Communications Director for the Catholic Diocese of Yopougon highlighted the human dimension of journalism practice as important.

“You are guardians of the word, sowers of truth and hope. Do not let the noise of the world drown out the voice of your conscience,” Fr. Augustin Allou said during the event that was held at the St. Joseph Memni Sanctuary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abidjan.

Fr. Allou added, “It’s not enough to pass along information; one must ask whether it builds or destroys, uplifts or diminishes.”

“Communication is fundamentally human. From the moment we are born, we begin to communicate. Through words, gestures, or silence, we seek connection,” the Ivorian Catholic Priest said.

Advertisement

Amid growing anxiety and social unrest in the West African nation ahead of the October Presidential poll, Fr. Allou emphasized the role of Catholic journalists and communicators.

“The Christian journalist cannot be a messenger of despair. They must bear witness to a hope that does not disappoint, rooted in God’s love poured into our hearts,” he said, alluding to the theme of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”. 

Hope, Fr. Allou continued, is not “naïve optimism”, but “the ability to see light in the darkness, to believe in the potential for human dignity to rise again, and for truth to shine through.”

He went on to underscore the importance of gentleness and responsibility in communication, saying, “Words can heal or wound. That’s why we must choose them carefully, without violence or contempt.” 

Fr. Allou encouraged Catholic journalists and communicators to resist hate speech and sensationalism, and instead strive to “build bridges, not dig trenches.”

More in Africa

CAR

“Careful not to set a fire”: Catholic Bishop Expresses Commitment by Christians, Muslims to Peace in CAR

Read the article

“To communicate is to step outside oneself and give something of oneself to another. Ask yourself, does what I say uplift or tear down? Build or destroy?” he posed.

The April 5 event, which the Ivorian Association of Catholic Journalists and Communicators (AIJCCa) organized, was realized under the theme, “Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts.”

In his homily during the closing Mass of the pilgrimage, the National Chaplain of AIJCCa, Fr. André N’kayo, called on journalists to “act as agents of peace and reconciliation in a society rife with fear and division.”

“Today, everyone is afraid. You must be voices of unity and reconciliation,” Fr. N’kayo said.

Drawing from the example of the prophet Jeremiah, he added, “Journalists must alert society to the dangers we face, with honesty and courage.”

Trending

Advertisement

Fr. N’kayo urged journalists to “speak the truth” and to work “in soul and conscience.” The role of Catholic media practitioners in the West African nation, he said, is “essential in shaping a hopeful and reconciled future for Ivory Coast.”