Ruffini: 'We need a communication based on humanity not algorithms'

By Lisa Zengarini

The key to rediscover “the path to a fully human communication” is the “wisdom of the heart". Pope Francis’ call for this year’s World Day of Social Communications is at the core of the video messaget the Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication Paolo Ruffini  sent to participants in the second General Assembly of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA), concluding in Manaus, Brazil on Monday. 

Uniting what is divided

The message, in Spanish, emphasizes the crucial importance of communication as a means to foster unity among peoples, while preserving their cultural differences. Communication, Mr. Ruffini notes, serves to "unite what is divided" and as such it is a cum munus, that is, a "mutual gift" that arises from the relationship that is established "by speaking, listening and understanding the other." This shared gift , he said, “intertwines our differences, makes us members of each other, reflects how everything is interconnected”.

A human communication inspired by the wisdom of the heart

A humane communication, continued Mr. Ruffini, is necessary to counter the "colonizing invasion of mass media" in order to “build a better world".  We need a "different narrative" that "does not surrender to evil", and a communication system that is "based on humanity”, rather than on technology or algorithms, that encourages dialogue, the culture encounter and care of the common home, the Prefect said echoing Pope Francis words..      

A spiritual gaze

In the face  "the exponential advancement"  of digital systems and artificial intelligence, he again called for providing  communication with "a spiritual gaze", capable "of bringing back to unity what we have divided out of selfishness", and  for ongoing  education and collective responsibility.

CEAMA's assembly

CEAMA was established 2020 as a  result of the special Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian region, held in the Vatican in October 2019. The body acts as a "bridge" between the various ecclesial and socio-environmental initiatives at a continental and international level, thus contributing to the implementation of the many proposals emerged from ttah  Synod.

The meeting held in Manaus brought together representatives of the Church in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and the French Amazon discussing the theme: "Christ Indicates the Amazon: Communion, Mission and Participation”,  in view of the second session of the Synod of Bishops on synodality scheduled from 2 to 27 October in the Vatican. 

During the four days of discussions participants focused on the current situation in the Amazon, listened to testimonies and shared moments of spiritual conversation.