Indian Church’s top communicators were urged to boldly present Church’s perspective on issues without running away from uncomfortable realities.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) secretary general Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas and other experts suggested strategies for Church communicators to “become effective” at a March 11-15 national meeting.

Some 45 people, mostly regional directors of communication, from dioceses across India attended meeting organized by the CBCI office for Social Communications (CBCI-OSC) at Nav Sadhana Pastoral Centre in Varanasi.

Through examples, Bishop Mascarenhas illustrated how certain issues disappeared when communication on them have been “prompt and effective.”

He urged the Church communicators to speak up boldly and incisively on the issues, presenting the church’s perspective and being faithful to its teaching and values. He said Church’s silence only helps others to change the narrative. But the Church communicators must know “when to speak, and how much and what to say when they do,” the bishop said.