Telugu Catholic TV channel launched: The Hindu - Mobile edition
Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Vatican’s
ambassador to India, launched ‘Divyavani,’ the
Catholic Church’s Telugu TV channel at the St.
Mary’s College grounds in Secunderabad on
Wednesday evening.
Theme
Recalling Jesus Christ’s synagogue reading
from the Prophet Isaiah, he spelt out the new
medium’s theme: to proclaim Good News to
the poor, comfort all who mourn, provide for
those who grieve, the oil of joy instead of a
spirit of despair.
As his representative in India, he relayed Pope
Francis’ message. Echoing the Pope’s
sentiment, he hoped the channel stood for the
poor, afflicted and marginalised, bringing
comfort and consolation to the people through
acts of mercy.
“The increased availability of new technologies
demands greater responsibility on those called
to proclaim the Word,” the ProNuncio quoted
Pope Benedict XVI.
New ideas
Citing late Pope John Paul II, he described the
‘communication media as the new marketplace
of ideas,’ the new ‘Areopagus,’ the public place
in Athens where St. Paul introduced the ‘Risen
Christ’ to his audience.
In the Naples native’s thick accent was seen a
tilt towards Telugu, the Italian of the East, lilting
songs in the local language linking two
civilizations, seamlessly.