Seget near Trogir, April 27, 2000 (IKA) — Approximately 60 Catholic journalists, editors, publishers and professors of journalism from throughout the world, members of the Union Catholique International de la Presse (UCIP), met on April 26 in the Hotel Medena in Seget (near Trogir), in order to participate in the work of the Pontifical Council and UCIP. The meeting began with an introductory prayer led by the president of the Pontifical Council for the Media, Archbishop John P. Foley, who emphasized the importance of the role of Catholic journalists during today’s period of globalization. The participants were also addressed by the president of the Commission for the Media of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Auxiliary Bishop Vlado Košić of Zagreb; the president of UCIP, Theresa Ee Choi; and the president of the Croatian Association of Catholic Journalists, Suzana Vrhovski, who also led the afternoon session. Among her remarks, President Vrhovski read a message of support from the minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Tonino Picula, which made reference to the current political position of the Republic of Croatia following the recent elections. The commissioner of Austria in the European Union, Dr. Erhard Busek, spoke about changes that have occurred and are occurring in Europe under the influence of the super powers. Busek also spoke about the four wars that have been waged during the past decade in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, and the difficulties incurred during transformation by the countries in transition. According to his remarks, genuine changes in these countries will begin with changes in the mentality of the ethnic nations that have predominantly existed under totalitarian systems. Commissioner Busek urged Catholic journalists to be open to the challenges of the new era and noted the ecumenical role of Pope John Paul II.
The Executive Council of the UCIP has decided that the next World Congress will be held in Freiburg, Switzerland in the year 2001. It was also proposed for the next meeting of the Executive Council to be held in Zimbabwe, in order to become acquainted with the specific problems of the Church and Catholic media in that country. The first day of the meeting concluded with the celebration of the Mass in the Trogir Cathedral, led by the president of the Pontifical Council for the Media, Archbishop John P. Foley.
Today, April 27, the proposed revision of the Bylaws and a draft of a new UCIP document with the working title of “Truth for Journalists” were discussed. In the afternoon, there will be a meeting of the regional representatives and the UCIP federation. During the afternoon, the participants will visit Solin and Split, where they will meet with the president of the Franciscan Institute for Peace, Fra Božo Vuleta. A delegation from the Executive Council of UCIP will be received tonight by Archbishop Ante Jurić of Split-Makarska.