ON COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA
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Decree Promulgated by His Holiness

POPE PAUL VI
December 4, 1963





DECREE

ON THE MEDIA OF

Promulgated by His Holiness

POPE PAUL VI

At the Closing of the Second Session of the

Second Vatican Council

December 4, 1963





DECREE

ON THE MEDIA OF

INTRODUCTION

1. Among the wonderful technological discoveries

which men of talent, especially in the present era, have

made with God’s help, the Church welcomes and promotes

with special interest those which have a most direct rela-

tion to men’s minds and which have uncovered new avenues

of communicating most readily news, views and teachings

of every sort. The most important of these inventions are

those media which, such as the press, movies, radio, tele-

vision and the like, can, of their very nature, reach and

influence, not only individuals, but the very masses and the

whole of human society, and thus can rightly be called the

media of social communication.

2. The Church recognizes that these media, if properly

utilized, can be of great service to mankind, since they

greatly contribute to men’s entertainment and instruction

as well as to the spread and support of the Kingdom of

God. The Church recognizes, too, that men can employ

these media contrary to the plan of the Creator and to

their own loss. Indeed, the Church experiences maternal

grief at the harm all too often done to society by their

evil use.

Hence, this sacred Synod, attentive to the watchful

concern manifested by the Supreme Pontiffs and Bishops

in a matter of such great importance, judges it to be its

duty to treat of the principal questions linked with the

media of social communication. It trusts, moreover, that

the teaching and regulations it thus sets forth will serve to

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also the progress of all mankind.

promote, not only the eternal welfare of Christians, but

CHAPTER I

On the Teaching of the Church

3. The Catholic Church, since it was founded by

Christ our Lord to bear salvation to all men and thus is
obliged to preach the Gospel, considers it one of its duties

to announce the Good News of salvation also with the help

of the media of social communication and to instruct men
in their proper use.

It is, therefore, an inherent right of the Church to

have at its disposal and to employ any of these media

insofar as they are necessary or useful for the instruction

of Christians and all its efforts for the welfare of souls.

It is the duty of Pastors to instruct and guide the faithful

so that they, with the help of these same media, may
further the salvation and perfection of themselves and of

the entire human family.

In addition, the laity especially must strive to instill

a human and Christian spirit into these media, so that they

may fully measure up to the great expectations of mankind
and to God’s design.

4. For the proper use of these media it is most neces-

sary that all who employ them be acquainted with the

norms of morality and conscientiously put them into prac-

tice in this area. They must look, then, to the nature of

what is communicated, given the special character of each

of these media. At the same time they must take into

consideration the entire situation or circumstances, namely,

the persons, place, time and other conditions under which

communication takes place and which can affect or totally

change its propriety. Among these circumstances to be con-

sidered is the precise manner in which a given medium

achieves its effect. For its influence can be so great that men,

especially if they are unprepared, can scarcely become

aware of it, govern its impact, or, if necessary, reject it.

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5. It is, however, especially necessary that all parties

concerned should adopt for themselves a proper moral

outlook on the use of these media, especially with respect

to certain questions that have been vigorously aired in

our day.

The first question has to do with “information,” as

it is called, or the search for and reporting of the news.

Now clearly this has become most useful and very often
necessary for the progress of contemporary society and

for achieving closer links among men. The prompt publi-

cation of affairs and events provides every individual with

a fuller, continuing acquaintance with them, and thus all

can contribute more effectively to the common good and

more readily promote and advance the welfare of the entire

civil society. Therefore, in society men have a right to

information, in accord with the circumstances in each

case, about matters concerning individuals or the com-

munity. The proper exercise of this right demands, how-

ever, that the news itself that is communicated should

always be true and complete, within the bounds of justice

and charity. In addition, the manner in which the news

is communicated should be proper and decent. This means

that in both the search for news and in reporting it, there

must be full respect for the laws of morality and for the

legitimate rights and dignity of the individual. For not

all knowledge is helpful, but “it is charity that edifies.”^

6. The second question deals with the relationship

between the rights, as they are called, of art and the

norms of morality. Since the mounting controversies in

this area frequently take their rise from false teachings

about ethics and esthetics, the Council proclaims that all

must hold to the absolute primacy of the objective moral

order, that is, this order by itself surpasses and fittingly

coordinates all other spheres of human affairs—the arts
not excepted—even though they be endowed with notable
dignity. For man who is endowed by God with the gift
of reason and summoned to pursue a lofty destiny, is

alone affected by the moral order in his entire being. And

likewise, if man resolutely and faithfully upholds this order,

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he will be brought to the attainment of complete perfec-

tion and happiness.

7. Finally, the narration, description or portrayal of

moral evil, even through the media of social communica-

tion, can indeed serve to bring about a deeper knowledge

and study of humanity and, with the aid of appropriately

heightened dramatic effects, can reveal and glorify the

grand dimensions of truth and goodness. Nevertheless,

such presentations ought always to be subject to moral

restraint, lest they work to the harm rather than the

benefit of souls, particularly when there is question of

treating matters which deserve reverent handling or which,

given the baneful effect of original sin in men, could quite

readily arouse base desires in them.

8. Since public opinion exercises the greatest power

and authority today in every sphere of life, both private

and public, every member of society must fulfill the de-

mands of justice and charity in this area. As a result,

all must strive, through these media as well, to form and

spread sound public opinion.

9. All who, of their own free choice, make use of

these media of communications as readers, viewers or

listeners have special obligations. For a proper choice de-

mands that they fully favor those presentations that are

outstanding for their moral goodness, their knowledge and

their artistic or technical merit. They ought, however, to

avoid those that may be a cause or occasion of spiritual

harm to themselves, or that can lead others into danger

through base example, or that hinder desirable presenta-

tions and promote those that are evil. To patronize such

presentations, in most instances, would merely reward

those who use these media only for profit.

In order that those who make use of these media

may fulfill the moral code, they ought not to neglect to

inform themselves in time about judgments passed by

authorities competent in these matters. They ought also

to follow such judgments according to the norms of an

upright conscience. So that they may more easily resist

improper inducements and rather encourage those that

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are desirable, let them take care to guide and instruct their

consciences with suitable aids.

10. Those who make use of the media of communi-

cations, especially the young, should take steps to ac-

custom themselves to moderation and self-control in their

regard. They should, moreover, endeavor to deepen their

understanding of what they see, hear or read. They should

discuss these matters with their teachers and experts, and

learn to pass sound judgments on them. Parents should

remember that they have a most serious duty to guard

carefully lest shows, publications and other things of this

sort, which may be morally harmful, enter their homes

or affect their children under other circumstances.

11. The principal moral responsibility for the proper

use of the media of social communication falls on news-

men, writers, actors, designers, producers, displayers, dis-

tributors, operators and sellers, as well as critics and all

others who play any part in the production and transmis-

sion of mass presentations. It is quite evident what gravely

important responsibilities they have in the present day

when they are in a position to lead the human race to

good or to evil by informing or arousing mankind.

Thus, they must adjust their economic, political or

artistic and technical aspects so as never to oppose the

common good. For the purpose of better achieving this

goal, they are to be commended when they join profes-

sional associations, which—even under a code, if neces-
sary, of sound moral practice—oblige their members to
show respect for morality in the duties and tasks of their

craft.

They ought always to be mindful, however, that a

great many of their readers and audience are young

people, who need a press and entertainment that offer them

decent amusement and cultural uplift. In addition, they

should see to it that communications or presentations con-

cerning religious matters are entrusted to worthy and ex-

perienced hands and are carried out with fitting reverence.

12. The public authority, in these matters, is bound

by special responsibilities in view of the common good, to

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which these media are ordered. The same authority has,

in virtue of its office, the duty of protecting and safeguard-

ing true and just freedom of information, a freedom that

is totally necessary for the welfare of contemporary society,

especially when it is a question of freedom of the press.

It ought also to encourage spiritual values, culture and

the fine arts and guarantee the rights of those who wish

to use the media. Moreover, public authority has the duty

of helping those projects which, though they are certainly

most beneficial for young people, cannot otherwise be

undertaken.

Lastly, the same public authority, which legitimately

concerns itself with the health of the citizenry, is obliged,

through the promulgation and careful enforcement of laws,

to exercise a fitting and careful watch lest grave damage

befall public morals and the welfare of society through the

base use of these media. Such vigilance in no wise re-

stricts the freedom of individuals or groups, especially

where there is a lack of adequate precaution on the part

of those who are professionally engaged in using these

media.

Special care should be taken to safeguard young people

from printed matter and performances which may be
harmful at their age.

CHAPTER II

On the Pastoral Activity of the Church

13. All the children of the Church should join, without

delay and with the greatest effort in a common work to

make effective use of the media of social communication

in various apostolic endeavors, as circumstances and con-

ditions demand. They should anticipate harmful develop-

ments, especially in regions where more urgent efforts to

advance morality and religion are needed.

Pastors should hasten, therefore, to fulfill their duty

in this respect, one which is intimately linked with their

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ordinary preaching responsibility. The laity, too, who have

something to do with the use of these media, should en-

deavor to bear witness to Christ, first of all by carrying

out their individual duties or office expertly and with an

apostolic spirit, and, further, by being of direct help in

tJie pastoral activity of the Church—to the best of their
ability—through their technical, economic, cultural and
artistic talents.

14. First, a good press should be fostered. To instill

a fully Christian spirit into readers, a truly Catholic press

snould be set up and encouraged. Such a press—whether
immediately fostered and directed by ecclesiastical author-

ities or by Catholic laymen—should be edited with the
clear purpose of forming, supporting and advancing public

opinion in accord with natural law and Catholic teaching

and precepts. It should disseminate and properly explain

news concerning the life of the Church. Moreover, the

faithful ought to be advised of the necessity both to spread

and read the Catholic press to formulate Christian judg-

ments for themselves on all events.

The production and showing of films that have value

as decent entertainment, humane culture or art, especially

when they are designed for young people, ought to be

encouraged and assured by every effective means. This

can be done particularly by supporting and joining in

projects and enterprises for the production and distribu-

tion of decent films, by encouraging worthwhile films

through critical approval and awards, by patronizing or

jointly sponsoring theaters operated by Catholic and re-

sponsible managers.

Similarly, effective support should be given to good

radio and television programs, above all those that are

suitable for families. Catholic programs should be pro-

moted, in which listeners and viewers can be brought to

share in the life of the Church and learn religious truths.

An effort should also be made, where it may be necessary,
to set up Catholic stations. In such instances, however,

care must be taken that their programs are outstanding

for their standards of excellence and achievement.

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In addition, there should be an effort to see that

the noble and ancient art of the drama, which now is

diffused everywhere by the media of social communication,

serves the cultural and moral betterment of audiences.

15. To provide for the needs just set forth, priests,

religious and laymen who are equipped with the proper

skills for adapting these media to the objectives of the

apostolate should be appointed promptly.

Importantly, laymen ought to be afforded technical,

doctrinal and moral training. For this purpose, the num-

ber of school faculties and institutes should be increased,

where newsmen, writers for screen, radio and television

and all other interested parties can obtain a sound train-

ing that is imbued with the Christian spirit, especially

with respect to the social teaching of the Church.

Finally, care must be taken to prepare literary, film,

radio, television and other critics, who will be equipped

with the best skills in their own crafts and trained and

encouraged to render judgments which always put moral

issues in their proper light.

16. Since the proper use of the media of social com-

munications which are available to audiences of different

cultural backgrounds and ages, calls for instruction proper

to their needs, programs which are suitable for this pur-'

pose—especially where they are designed for young people
—should be encouraged, increased in numbers and organ-
ized according to Christian moral principles. This should

be done in Catholic schools at every level, in seminaries

and in lay apostolate groups. To speed this along cate-

chetical manuals should present and explain Catholic teach-

ing and regulations on this matter.

17. It is quite unbecoming for the Church’s children

idly to permit the message of salvation to be thwarted

or impeded by the technical delays or expenses, however

vast, which are encountered by the very nature of these

media. Therefore, this sacred Synod advises them of the

obligation they have to maintain and assist Catholic news-

papers, periodicals and film projects, radio and television

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programs and stations, whose principal objective is to spread

and defend the truth and foster Christian influence in

human society. At the same time, the Synod earnestly

invites those organizations and individuals who possess

financial and technical ability to support these media freely

and generously with their resources and their skills, in-

asmuch as they contribute to genuine culture and the

apostolate.

18. Moreover, that the varied apostolates of the

Church with respect to the media of social communication

may be strengthened effectively, each year in every diocese

of the world, by the determination of the Bishops, there

should be celebrated a day on which the faithful are

instructed in their responsibilities in this regard. They

should be invited to pray and contribute funds for this

cause. Such funds are to be expended exclusively on the

promotion, maintenance and development of institutes and

undertakings of the Church in this area, according to the

needs of the whole Catholic world.

19. In fulfilling his supreme pastoral charge with

respect to the media of social communication, the Sover-

eign Pontiff has at hand a special office of the Holy See.

Moreover, the Fathers of the Council, freely acceding

to the wish of the “Secretariat for the Supervision of

Publications and Entertainment,” reverently request that

the Sovereign Pontiff extend the duties and competence

of this office to include all media of social communication,

including the press, and that experts from various countries

be named to it, including laymen.

20. It will be the task of the Bishops, however, to watch

over such works and undertakings in their own dioceses, to

promote them and, as far as the public apostolate is con-

cerned, to guide them, not excluding those that are under

the direction of exempt religious.

21. Since an effective apostolate on a national scale

calls for unity of planning and resources, this sacred Synod

decrees and orders that national offices for affairs of the

press, films, radio and television be established everywhere

and given every aid. It will be the special task of these offi-

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ces to see to it that the consciences of the faithful are

properly instructed with respect to these media. Likewise

they should foster and guide whatever is done by Catholics

in these areas.

In each country the direction of such offices should be

entrusted to a special committee of Bishops, or to a single

Bishop. Moreover, laymen who are experts in Catholic

teaching and in these arts or techniques should have a role

in these offices.

22. Since the effectiveness of these media reaches be-

yond national boundaries and has an impact on individual

members of the whole human family, national offices should

co-operate among themselves on an international plane. The

offices spoken of in Number 21 should assiduously work

together with their own international Catholic associations.

These Catholic international associations are legitimately

approved by the Holy See alone and depend on it.

APPENDICES

23. So that the general principles and norms of this

sacred Synod with respect to the media of social communi-

cations may be put into effect, by the express will of the

Council, the office of the Holy See mentioned in Number 19

should undertake, with the assistance of experts from vari-

ous countries, to issue a pastoral instruction.

24. As for the rest, this sacred Synod is confident that

its issuance of these instructions and norms will be gladly

accepted and religiously kept by all the Church’s children.

By using these helps they will experience no harm and, like

salt and light, they will give savor to the earth and brighten

the world. Moreover, the Synod invites all men of good

will, especially those who have charge of these media, to

strive to turn them solely to the good of society, whose fate

depends more and more on their proper use. Thus, as was the

case with ancient works of art, the name of the Lord may be

glorified by these new discoveries in accordance with those

words of the Apostle: “Jesus Christ, yesterday and today,

and the same forever.

'^Corinthians 8:1.

^ Hebretvs 13:8.

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1963

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