“A change of epoch” was a resonant phrase at the recently concluded Communication Conference Delegates Meeting held at the General Curia in Rome. The phrase may refer to the papacy of Francis—whose health is often a hot topic in the Vatican and its environs—which could go on for years or not. In a way, it is also applicable to the transition in leadership in the communication office of the Jesuit Curia. But it also relates to the time we live in, with its constant turbulence and rapid changes, and our responses to these challenges. To set the tone, Fr General Arturo Sosa addressed the delegates, reminding us of the core of our mission. “It is not just PR or advertising,” he cautioned. “Communication for us is a way of living.”
Down in the hushed and climate-controlled rooms of the Archivum Romanum Societatis Iesu (ARSI), a change of epoch does not hover heavily on the archives. After public visiting hours, Fr Festo Mkenda SJ toured a group of delegates and explained the interesting work they do, carrying out ARSI’s mission of “preserving and conserving the archival patrimony of the General Curia of the Society of Jesus”. To be sure, it is no mere task of keeping track of documents and records; archival work in this context requires not only expertise but also patience. Fr Mkenda prepared for viewing several thick files from centuries past, letters from Jesuits in the far-flung missions, painstakingly written out in beautiful handwriting. Also on display was the death mask of St Ignatius, with his distinct Basque profile preserved in wax for the ages. The contents of the archive and the current work of communication put the past and future into context, connecting the long tradition of communication in the Society of Jesus. St Ignatius famously wrote at least seven thousand letters during his lifetime, many of them written from his rooms in Rome.
From a glimpse of the past via the archives, there was also the opportunity to balance out our perspectives on the current situation of the Catholic Church. Dr Paolo Ruffini, Prefect for the Vatican’s Dicastery of Communication, spent an hour with the delegates talking not only about the upcoming Jubilee Year, which can mean for the pilgrims a time of “reconciliation, collaboration, conversion, penance, hope, and joy”. He emphasised sharing, communion and synodality on this long journey we are on. “The Church is one,” he said. “We are all part of the same destiny.” In a separate forum, three journalists—La Nacion Argentina’s Elisabetta Piqué, La Croix International’s Robert Mickens, and La Repubblica’s Iacopo Scaramuzzi—spoke about their work covering the Vatican. It was an enriching conversation, frank and insightful. And while Robert Mickens pointed out that “not much structural change” has occurred in the church, “He [Pope Francis] works with the realities,” is how Elisabetta Piqué put it.
More Vatican journalists turned up for a special reception hosted by the Curia to say goodbye and thank you to Fr John Dardis SJ and Fr Pierre Belangér SJ of the Communication Office. Fr Dardis had served as Communication Director for six years and now focuses full time on his role as General Counsellor for Discernment and Apostolic Planning. Fr Belangér was the Curia’s resident journalist, who wrote news articles for the Jesuits Global website and served as editor of Jesuits, the annual magazine. He returns to his native Canada, where he will continue to edit the magazine. During the reception, a great sense of appreciation for the work of Fathers Dardis and Belangér was palpable, along with a feeling of community among the Jesuits, their mission partners, and members of the media. Fr Chuckwunyelum Afiawari SJ, the new director of Communication, was warmly received.
After four days of meetings and discussions, praying, and working together, the Communication office organised a simple gathering on the terrace of the Curia. From up there, the rooftops of Rome and the great dome of St Peter’s Basilica during sunset are a sight to behold. Epochs may change, people may come and go—but the missio Dei remains in our hearts and minds as communicators, moving forward with faith and hope.
Ria Limjap is the communication consultant for the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.