Bishop Jozef Roszynski Urges Radio Ministers to be Truthful, Prayerful, and Inspiring in Communicating the Gospel

Vunapope, East New Britain – 23 July 2025 — Bishop Jozef Roszynski SVD, the Bishop Deputy for Social Communications of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (CBC PNGSI), delivered an inspiring and challenging address to participants of the Social Communications Formation for Radio Personnel, calling them to be committed storytellers of truth, hope, and faith, rooted in prayer and guided by integrity.

The workshop, organized by Sr. Daisy Anne Lisania Augustine MSC, Secretary of the Social Communications Commission of CBC PNGSI, brought together Catholic radio practitioners from various dioceses for a multi-day formation event in the Archdiocese of Rabaul.

In his heartfelt remarks, Bishop Roszynski praised Sr. Daisy for bringing media personnel together to "upgrade" their knowledge and strengthen their vocation in Catholic radio ministry. “It makes me very happy,” he said, “because what you do is part of God’s plan. But we need to keep upgrading ourselves to serve better.”

Communication in Crisis

Highlighting the paradox of the modern age, Bishop Roszynski noted that despite the proliferation of communication devices, real human connection is often lost. He recounted how, in earlier times, people stayed connected through letters, while today, even with mobile phones, many find themselves isolated or distracted. “We have more tools than ever, yet communication often feels weaker than before,” he said.

He warned participants about the dangers of miscommunication and distortion, likening it to the childhood game of "deaf telephone" where a message becomes unrecognizable after being passed from person to person. “News can easily be disfigured—by accident or on purpose,” he cautioned, emphasizing the responsibility Catholic media workers have in reporting the truth.

Form, Inform, Inspire

The workshop’s theme—“To Form, To Inform, To Inspire”—resonated throughout the Bishop’s speech.

Bishop Roszynski reminded the communicators that every message has the power to uplift or burden. “Sometimes we feel upset and don’t even know why—until we realize it’s because of a message or news we received,” he said. “That’s why, as radio people, you must be truthful and careful with the messages you put out.”

He drew connections between God’s original communication with Adam and Eve and the power of the Word becoming flesh in Jesus. “From the beginning, God speaks. But so does the serpent—half-truths, manipulation. That’s our warning as communicators: speak the whole truth, even when it’s hard.”

Inspired by Prayer

Central to Bishop Roszynski’s message was a strong call for media professionals to anchor their work in prayer. Echoing the words of Pope Francis, he posed the question: Is our communication inspired by prayer? He stressed that prayer should not be treated as an afterthought, but as a foundational part of any media ministry.

“Do we go to the studio as technicians or as ministers of the Word? Prayer makes the difference,” he said.

The Bishop also reflected on Pope Francis’ message from the Jubilee of Communications in Rome, urging Catholic communicators to bring hope even amid darkness. “From tragedy, we must find the seeds of hope,” he said, citing powerful examples like the story of a Rwandan genocide survivor who forgave her family’s killer. “Forgiveness is the most radical message we can communicate.”

Culture, Gospel, and Storytelling

Bishop Roszynski encouraged broadcasters to explore the intersection of culture and faith. He proposed creating radio segments that draw connections between local “Tumbuna” (ancestral) stories and the Gospel. “There are seeds of the Gospel in our traditions. Let’s uncover them. Our elders, our priests—they carry deep wisdom.”

He highlighted Jesus as the master communicator, someone who used everyday images—baking bread, sowing seeds—to express divine truths. “Jesus didn’t separate daily life from the message. He made the ordinary extraordinary. So must you.”

A Call to Unity and Collaboration

Drawing from Pope Francis’ emphasis on togetherness and networking, Bishop Roszynski urged diocesan media teams to collaborate, share content, and support one another. “Let’s not work in isolation. Exchange programs, ideas, even visit each other. Together, we amplify our voice.”

He acknowledged the challenges faced by radio stations in some dioceses, including his own, where infrastructure problems have delayed broadcasts. “I’m a little jealous,” he said with a smile, “but I’m inspired by what you’re doing. Don’t stop. Use your platforms not just to inform, but to form and inspire.”

Empowered to Evangelize

In closing, Bishop Roszynski reminded the participants of the enormous impact their voices can have. “You may be one person in a small studio, but your words can reach thousands. You are instruments—like guitars—meant to bring harmony and joy.”

He encouraged them to resist the temptation to treat radio work as mere content delivery, and instead embrace it as a true Christian vocation. “You are not just media workers. You are evangelizers.”

The Social Communications Formation concluded with renewed energy and commitment among participants, who left with both spiritual insights and practical skills to strengthen Catholic radio as a ministry of truth, hope, and inspiration.

Reporting by: Sr. Daisy Anne Lisania Augustine MSCCatholic Bishops Conference of PNGSI – Social Communications CommissionVunapope, Archdiocese of Rabaul