By Sr Angella Rwezaula, Sr Ernestina Patrick Lasway, Sr Michelle Njeri – Kigali, Rwanda
Rwanda, Kigali is hosting SIGNIS world congress titeled “Digital Communication for Cultural Harmony and Environmental Well-being”. The Congress was opened on Aug 4 with different solidarity messages, including a message from Pope Leo XIV signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, which was presented by the Apostolic Nuncio of Rwanda, Archbishop Arnaldo S. Catalan.
Referring to his Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo said: “online communication is not simply the transmission of information, but the creation of a culture, since it has the power to shape the way people perceive the world and, consequently, profoundly influences the collective conscience.”
Reconciliation, promoting national unity and solidarity.
In his address His Eminence Card. Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali, and the President of Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, referring to the theme of the Congress explained the importance of Media as a means of communication and evangelization. He stressed the need to use media as a means of healing, reconciliation, promoting national unity and solidarity.
Drawing the lesson from 1994, Rwanda Genocide, he pointed out the wrong use of media in the country that contributed to the war. He invited the participants to use the time for the congress to assess the challenges and harm that can be caused by the wrong use of media.
A place of relationships and solidarity
In his message Paolo Ruffini, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication explained the importance of physical encounter in the digital world noting that, “Gatherings like this, in person, remind us of something our digital world often forgets: that communication begins not with technology, but with people. ”
“SIGNIS should not be an ecclesiastic bureaucracy, but a network of people, a network of professionals sharing the same faith. This should be a place where relationships of trust are established, true information is shared, and good projects are designed,” he said.
The need of communication for solidarity
Mrs. Helen Osman President of SIGNIS world, expressed appreciation to the Dicastery for Communication, for the continues collaboration with SIGNIS. Calling for collaboration in the spirit of synodality she suggested that “we need a strong network of communication that brings Christian solidarity and unity amidst global pressures.”
Fruits of SIGNIS
Fr Walter Ihejirika, President of SIGNIS Africa, highlighted that the strength of SIGNIS Africa lies in its ability to bring together priests, religious sisters and lay people in a spirit of collaboration, noting that this network has been central to the organization’s achievements. He also expressed gratitude to the Vatican Dicasteries for the Laity, Family and Life, for Communication, and for Evangelization, as well as to the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), praising their commitment and describing the participants’ presence at the gathering as a tangible sign of the synodal spirit of walking together as the People of God.
In his address, Fr Ihejirika also called for greater solidarity among Catholic media organizations and Church communication offices so that by working together they may build a credible Catholic media capable of serving both the Church and contemporary society.
The 2026 World congress of SIGNIS lasts until Aug 8, it will bring together catholic communicators from across the world to reflect, learn, network and discuss emerging issues in communication. This is hoped to strengthen communication across culture and regions. – Vatican News
