Aug 5, 2013 / 16:09 pm
Catholics should see the secular media as an opportunity to evangelize and more effectively reach "people who need heroes and need the Gospel," said the head of a Catholic communications organization.
"Look to media as an apostolic opportunity. Call reporters, be their friends. Let them in on the Gospel," said Kathryn Jean Lopez, director of Catholic Voices USA. "You don't have to agree with everything they say or get them converted on day one. Have some patience. Respect their freedom. Share the truth. Be for real."
"I know it is remarkably tempting to complain about the media, to see what is wrong. But oftentimes the coverage is hostile because hosts, reporters, producers, don't know about Catholicism, they may know that bad experience, or their bad catechesis, or a caricature," she said.
Lopez's comments came Aug. 3 at the 2013 Napa Institute Conference in Napa, Calif. The annual conference brings together Catholic leaders from around the country – including bishops, religious, educators and laypeople – to discuss how to build Catholic culture in a secular society.