Communications/ Media Archives - LIRA CATHOLIC DIOCESE

Lira Diocese Equips 53 Parish Communicators to Strengthen News Gathering

By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese

The Social Communications Department of Lira Diocese has trained 53 Parish Social Communicators (PSCs) in basic journalism skills as part of efforts to strengthen news gathering and improve the flow of information from parishes to the Diocese’s media platforms.

The induction and refresher training was held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Radio Wa premises in Lira City, bringing together communicators from parishes across the Diocese. The majority of participants were newly appointed PSCs, while others were existing communicators attending to refresh their knowledge and skills.

The training was facilitated by Rev. Fr. Isaac Ojok, Social Communications Secretary of Lira Diocese and Human Resource Manager of Radio Wa, alongside Pelegrine Otonga, the station’s News Editor.

In his opening remarks, Fr. Ojok thanked the participants for setting aside time to attend the training and expressed hope that parishes that did not participate would send their communicators for a subsequent training planned for November.

Equipping Parish Communicators for Effective Reporting

Fr. Ojok explained the meaning of journalism and the responsibilities of Parish Social Communicators within the Church’s communication structure.

He said PSCs are appointed by parish priests to help communicate activities taking place in their respective parishes through the Catholic media institutions within the Diocese.

He urged them to identify newsworthy developments in their communities and report them accurately, highlighting parish development projects, activities of Church associations and movements, pastoral visits by the Bishop, and activities of the Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS), among other initiatives.

The Social Communications Secretary emphasised the importance of gathering facts, interviewing relevant people, identifying newsworthy information and verifying details before submitting stories for publication or broadcast.

Participants were introduced to fundamental journalism concepts, including what constitutes news, news gathering, the five Ws and H, the inverted pyramid structure and news writing.

Fr. Ojok also encouraged the communicators to maintain professional standards in their work, urging them to be presentable, respectful, approachable and mindful of their conduct when interacting with others.

He reminded the PSCs that serving the Church through communication requires sacrifice, including a willingness to give their time and resources to ensure that important parish activities are documented and shared with the wider community.

He further clarified that the Parish Social Communicators fall under the Social Communications Department of Lira Diocese, which coordinates communication through Radio Wa, UCTV Lira, diocesan print media, the diocesan website and social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, X and WhatsApp.

Radio Wa News Editor Calls for Commitment

Pelegrine Otonga, the News Editor of Radio Wa, thanked the participants for making time for the training despite their other responsibilities.

He noted that the Diocese had previously established a network of more than 50 Parish Social Communicators, but participation had declined over time.

With the recruitment of new communicators, Otonga said there was an opportunity to strengthen the network and increase the number of people contributing news from parishes across the Diocese.

He urged the participants to pay close attention to the training and apply the knowledge acquired in their daily news-gathering responsibilities.

Participants Welcome Opportunity to Strengthen Parish Reporting

The training was welcomed by participants, who expressed optimism that the skills acquired would improve their ability to identify and report developments in their respective parishes.

Jacob Otom from Alenga Parish expressed excitement about attending the training, describing it as his first visit to Radio Wa and his first opportunity to enter the station’s studio.

“I am so happy to be part of this training, and it is my first time to come to Radio Wa and even enter the studio,” Otom said.

Alex Okonye from Aboke Parish said the expanded network of communicators would make it easier to gather news and share information from parishes.

“At least now I have people who will help me gather stories; we won’t be just a few,” Okonye said.

Their remarks reflected the importance of strengthening collaboration among parish communicators to ensure that activities and developments within local Church communities receive wider coverage.

Strengthening Communication Across the Diocese

The expansion and training of the Parish Social Communicators network is expected to improve the flow of information from parishes to the Diocese’s media platforms while increasing coverage of Church activities and community initiatives.

With communicators based in different parishes, the Social Communications Department expects to receive more stories from local communities, while reducing the need for journalists to travel to every parish to identify and gather news.

The initiative is also expected to give greater visibility to parish development projects, pastoral activities, Church associations and movements, and other events that contribute to the life and mission of the Diocese.

The training concluded with a group photograph and refreshments at Radio Wa premises.

The Social Communications Department plans to hold another training session in November as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the skills of Parish Social Communicators across the Diocese. The session will bring together those who attended the October training and communicators from parishes that were unable to participate..

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Bishop Franzelli Calls for Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Communication Ministry

*Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli, Bishop Emeritus of Lira Diocese and Chairperson for Social Communications*

The annual Communications Week, held ahead of the World Communications Day celebrations, brings together Church communicators to reflect on the Pope’s message and its relevance to pastoral communication in Uganda. This year’s gathering focused on the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for human communication.

By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese

ULRIKA, Uganda – April 21–26, 2026 – Catholic communicators from all 19 dioceses of Uganda gathered at Ulrika Guest House for the National Communications Week workshop, where Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli, Bishop Emeritus of Lira Diocese and Chairperson for Social Communications at the Uganda Episcopal Conference, reflected deeply on the Holy Father’s message for World Communications Day titled “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.”

Speaking to the participants, Bishop Franzelli emphasized that the purpose of the workshop is not only to study the Pope’s message but also to understand it deeply and translate it into local pastoral contexts.

“This Communication Week is meant to make us aware of different aspects of communication, as the Pope enlightens us each year on a particular dimension,” he said. “We are called to reflect, understand, and eventually go back to our dioceses to convey the same message in a way that speaks to our people.”

He stressed the importance of unity in communication within the Church, noting that communicators are called to work in synodality, together, under the guidance of the Holy Father.

“We must work in the same direction under the guidance of Peter, who for us today is Pope Leo XIV,” he added.

Preserving Human Identity in a Digital Age

Reflecting on the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” Bishop Franzelli highlighted the uniqueness and sacredness of human identity.

“Our faces and voices are unique because they reveal who we are,” he said. “They are not just physical features, but expressions of our identity, and for believers, they are sacred because we are created in the image and likeness of God.”

He reminded participants that God is a communicating God who revealed Himself through creation, prophets, and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh with a human face and voice.

“This is the gift we are called to receive, live, and communicate,” he said.

Artificial Intelligence: Opportunity and Risk

Bishop Franzelli acknowledged the benefits of Artificial Intelligence in modern communication but warned of its risks if not properly understood and guided.

The Pope’s message, he explained, appreciates technological progress while cautioning against its negative impact on human relationships and authentic communication.

“The challenge is not only technological but anthropological,” he said. “It touches our understanding of what it means to be human, created in God’s image.”

He warned that over-reliance on AI could weaken critical thinking, creativity, and personal responsibility.

“When we allow machines to think for us, we risk becoming passive consumers of ideas we never created,” he noted. “Even simple reasoning is being replaced by quick answers from devices, and this weakens our ability to think and create.”

Risk of a ‘World of Mirrors’

The Bishop further cautioned against what he described as a “world of mirrors,” where people interact more with digital images than with real human beings.

“Communication is an encounter between persons,” he said. “But today, we risk living in a world where we only see images and never truly meet people.”

He also raised concern about bias in digital systems, noting that algorithms are shaped by the values and interests of their creators, which may influence how information is presented.

“This can subtly shape our worldview and even normalize injustice,” he warned.

Call for Discernment and Responsibility

While acknowledging the inevitability of digital innovation, Bishop Franzelli urged communicators to approach Artificial Intelligence with discernment and responsibility.

“The task before us is not to stop technological development, but to guide it wisely,” he said. “AI must remain an ally, not a master.”

He outlined three guiding principles for responsible engagement with technology: responsibility, cooperation, and education.

“Each of us has a responsibility to contribute to truth and integrity in communication,” he emphasized. “No one is exempt from this duty.”

Conclusion

The Communications Week workshop concluded with a renewed call for Catholic communicators to safeguard human dignity in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

As the Church continues to engage with emerging technologies, Bishop Franzelli’s message underscored the enduring importance of authentic human connection, truth, and discernment in communication ministry.

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Catholic Communicators Gather in Kisubi for National Training on AI and Evangelization

*Rt Rev Joseph Franzelli, Bishop Emeritus of Lira Diocese and the Chairperson Social Communications Commission*

The week-long training, which brings together participants from the 19 dioceses of the country, is being held under the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” the message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 60th World Day of Social Communications to be celebrated on May 17, 2026.

By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese

Catholic communicators from across Uganda are gathered at Ulrika Guest House in Kisubi for the 2026 National Social Communications Training taking place from April 21st to 26th, with a renewed call to strengthen their mission of evangelization in today’s digital age.

In his opening remarks, the Bishop Emeritus of Lira Diocese and Chairperson of the Social Communications Commission at the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Bishop Joseph Franzelli, encouraged communicators to embrace Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools with a clear pastoral purpose.

He noted that the training, facilitated by Kearlmark Consults, is intended not merely to build personal skills, but to strengthen communication apostolates within dioceses.

“What we learn here is not just for personal education, but to be applied back home in our dioceses for a better service to our people,” he said.

The Bishop urged participants to translate the knowledge gained into concrete action within their dioceses, building on previous trainings to ensure meaningful growth in communication efforts.

“We learn a lot of good things, but often people go home to continue work as usual… and that is how it should never be.”

He further emphasized the responsibility of Catholic communicators to provide timely, accurate, and balanced information in a rapidly evolving world.

“Our people need timely and balanced information, it is our mission to enlighten them.”

Highlighting the identity of Catholic media, Bishop Franzelli called for communication that reflects Gospel values and promotes peace and fraternity.

“This is what our communication is meant to be, a different communication, portraying the vision of peace and fraternity of the Church.”

He also underscored the importance of unity and collaboration among communicators, noting that a shared vision strengthens the Church’s impact.

“If we are united, then we shall have a greater impact.”

Meanwhile, the National Executive Secretary for Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Philip Odii, welcomed participants and reaffirmed the vital role of communicators in the life of the Church.

He described communication as a ministry through which the voice of Christ reaches the faithful.

“We gather as one family of communicators, united in our shared mission of proclaiming the Good News, your work ensures that the voice of the Church is vibrant, credible, and present.”

Fr. Odii commended communicators for their dedication and sacrifice, noting the influence of their work on the wider community.

“Very many people depend on what we talk, what we write, what we post, it is the voice of Christ through us.”

The training focuses on equipping participants with skills in leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enhance productivity and effectiveness in Catholic media institutions, while safeguarding the human dignity at the heart of communication.

The annual gathering continues to serve as a key moment of reflection, formation, and renewal for Catholic communicators in Uganda, as the Church strengthens its media apostolate in an increasingly digital world.

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Salvation of the whole person; body, soul and mind.“ I have come so that they may life and have it to the full” (John. 10:10b)

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