By Ade Iyamoye
The National Director of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, has called on Catholic communicators and the faithful to share the message of Christ with gentleness, compassion, and hope.
Fr. Umoh made this call during his homily at the Mass commemorating the 2025 World Communications Day (WCD), held on Sunday, June 1, at St. Gabriel Chaplaincy, CSN, Abuja. The Mass marked the conclusion of the annual Communications Week observed across the country.
Preaching on the theme “Speak with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts,” Fr. Umoh emphasized the importance of communicating with empathy and respect in a world that is often hostile and divided.
“We must reflect on our communication style,” he said. “Do we speak with kindness, or do our words wound others? Do our messages build bridges, or do they tear people down?”
Drawing inspiration from the example of St. Stephen in the day’s readings, the priest noted that Stephen’s calm, forgiving, and Spirit-filled witness in the face of persecution exemplifies gentle and hope-filled communication.
“Stephen prayed for his tormentors. That’s the height of empathy. That’s the power of forgiveness.
“His words were not laced with hate, but with heaven’s peace,” Fr. Umoh stated.
He further encouraged communicators to avoid the temptation of harsh or divisive rhetoric, stressing that the mission of Christian communication must always reflect the love and mercy of God.
“As Peter said, ‘Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.’ We must communicate not just truth, but truth spoken in love,” he added.
Fr. Umoh also echoed Jesus’ prayer for unity in the Gospel reading, reminding communicators that fostering unity is at the heart of the Church’s communication apostolate.
“Communicators have the power to either unite or divide. Let us be instruments of unity.
“Let our words reflect God’s peace, not our pride,” he said.
The priest concluded by urging all Catholic media practitioners and lay faithful to be deliberate in choosing their words and tone, reminding them that “a gentle tongue is a tree of life.”
He invoked the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, praying that all Christian communicators become messengers of hope, speaking with gentleness and kindness in all they do.
The WCD celebration wrapped up a weeklong series of activities held in parishes and Catholic institutions nationwide, designed to foster responsible and faith-driven communication in the digital age.
The Mass was celebrated by the Bishop Chairman for Social Communications, Most Rev. David Ajang and in the course of theMass, he blessed all the media practitioners present with their tools of work
