WASHINGTON (August 27, 1997) -- The Pastoral Plan for Church Communication, approved unanimously by the Catholic Bishops of the United States at their meeting in Kansas City last June, is now available from USCC Publishing Services.

The national pastoral plan was developed in response to issues raised by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in its document A New Era (Aetatis Novae). The plan "recognizes that it is in our parishes that the Church most directly communicates with her people, especially through God's word proclaimed in the liturgy and through a variety of educational programs."

Saying that Church communication in this country should "present Christ's message through participation in media locally and nationally," the plan describes use of the media in seven specific actions in pursuit of this goal: evangelizing; influencing the values, judgments and actions of U.S. society; telling the Church's story; protecting the communication environment; teaching communication; reflecting systematically on the quality of church communication; and supporting one another in a ministry of communication."

Against the background of this "overarching goal," the plan makes specific recommendations at the both national and diocesan levels.

The Pastoral Plan for Church Communication was prepared by the Bishops' Communications Committee, chaired by Most Reverend Thomas J. Costello, Auxiliary Bishop of Syracuse.

The pastoral plan, and Aetatis Novae, may be ordered from USCC Publications. The list price for the Pastoral Plan for Church Communication (publication number 5-141) is $2.95, while Aetatis Novae (504-6) lists at $4.95; many discounts are available.

USCC Publications is at 3211 Fourth St., N.E., Washington, DC, 20017-1194 (800-235-8722 or 202-722-8716). Orders may be sent by FAX to 202-722-8709.

For media inquiries, e-mail us at commdept@usccb.org
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