In our age the constant outpouring of the optical distractions and distracting illusions are mercilessly trapped in the magical web of communications media. Through the electronic and print media the world has become very small. Media has become the most powerful and the most influential tool that can build up or tear down, unite or divide, put one into power or unseat those already in power. Overwhelmingly, it has been shaping the mind and soul of humanity; sometimes reforming or deforming the human person and the whole of society.

Used rightly, media brings solid nourishment to the human race, refinement of spirit and the spread and strengthening of God’s own Kingdom (Inter Merifica, 3). In fact it is an instrument that must be presumed for our salvation and fulfillment for the entire human family (Inter Merifica, 2).

This age is beset with poverty, misery and violence “that generate suffering, insecurity and fears” (2004 Krakow, 57). The Dominican media evangelization must be actively immersed in the whirlpool of media, if only to respond to the call of the Church heard through the cries of the poor and moans of the marginalized. Often, they are the helpless and unknowing victims of television and film, radio and print media, which offer nothing more than quick satisfaction through sexually explicit programming and materialistic appeal that pander to the basest of human instincts.

The Church is sometimes wounded when, through apathy, it fails to address the questiones disputatae of our time (2004 Krakow, 53). Our challenge is to help the media practitioners as they grope in the dark seeking light of truth. We must lead them to the realization that media is God’s special gift to humanity. We must guide them to a transformation of their life as they realize that they are God’s special messengers of beauty, goodness and truth. We cannot be mute witnesses to the injustices clearly committed to the poor. We cannot allow truth to be compromised or morals to be taken for granted completely. Our presence in media must offer an alternative in media philosophy and programming. Our commitment to Veritas dares us to address issues with confidence and humility (2004 Krakow, 53).

Our media evangelization should open the door to a deeper sense of hope, which tells us that “God will work his will… so that what must not be, cannot be… and what must be, will be” (2004 Krakow, 55). Only in this hope, can we consequently break the silence of an unheeding society (2004 Krakow, 56). As preachers in media evangelization, we can give birth to the spirit of hope in the hearts of those who can only wait in vain, if we would only choose, through media, to proclaim the Word of salvation.