Sep
25
UCAP Congress Members
More than 40 Catholic Journalists from all over Africa gathered in Cape Town, from the 09-13 September 2018, to discuss issues relating to Journalism and communication in the Catholic Church, especially in the world of today.
The representatives were from different countries of Africa, including South Africa which was its first time to hold UCAP Congress. Read more…
The congress was graced by the presence of different specialists in journalism and communication. It was also attended by different representatives from different parts of the world, who came to be observers as well as giving an input. They were people from France, Germany, Oman and United States of America.
The Congress was also attended by representation from Vatican City and Signis African President, which is the umbrella body for all Catholic Media Institutions.
From the SACBC Region the congress was attended by Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Two, who is also the SACBC President in transition; SACBC Communication Officer, Fr Paul Tatu CSS and other members from different Catholic Media Houses in South Africa.
During the opening ceremony of the congress Archbishop Brislin gave the summary of the history of Cape Town and the challenges facing the city today. He underlined that many people who come to the city are not aware of these underlying challenges and the impact they have on the development of the city. He also acknowledged that Cape Town is beautiful city but the gap between the rich and the poor is so wide open.
The Archbishop also told the congress members that Cape Town has been classed as one of the dangerous cities in the world because of the gangsters and violence in the Cape Flats and some of the surrounding locations.
Archbishop was very happy that UCAP Congress was held in Cape Town and he promised that South Africa is going to work very hard to make sure that UCAP is well established in the SACBC.
According to the UCAP President, Mr George Sunguh it was very important for the UCAP Congress to the held in South Africa. “It is important that UCAP is well established and active in South Africa”, he said.
Some of the very outstanding topics which became the heart of the congress was how deal with the problem ‘Fake News’ which have dominated media platforms in the world of today; therefore one of the panels was presenting on ‘Journalism for truth and reconciliation in the church and of service to the people’.
One inputs during the congress were focusing on: Making the church more relevant to the youth in the Church in Africa; Promoting peace, Truth and Reconciliation in Africa during Digital Age and the promotion of the Social Teachings of the Church through Media in Africa.
The congress ended by working on the amendments of the constitution of UCAP by a special elected commission, which was later followed by the election of the new leadership.
The congress members expressed that they were happy of the opportunity of holding the congress in South Africa, and they are looking forward to come back again in the future. They thanked the hosts for a warm welcome and support.
During their stay in Cape Town the congress members managed to tour some of the outstanding places of Cape Town, such as the Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope and Robben Island, where the Former President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela spent 27 years under incarceration.
For more information contact: Fr Paul Tatu – +27 12 323 6458/email: ptatu@sacbc.org.za