Inter Mirifica: The Means of Social Communication

By John Graveline, Director of Parish Life

August 23, 2026

“Until all of us come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity . . . speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

Ephesians 4:13, 15

As we continue to reflect upon the documents of Vatican I at the beginning of the Year of the Holy Spirit, this week we continue to consider the question “What is our mission as modern Catholics?” by exploring Vatican Il’s Decree on the Means of Social Communication (also known by its Latin title Inter mirifica). We have seen how our mission begins with hearing and heeding the Word of God, which then impels us to spread and deepen the Gospel message both to those who have never heard of Christ and to those who are growing into their participation in the Christian mystery which began at their baptism. This week’s document considers how to live this mission of evangelization in the midst of our modern media environment.

At first glance, this document seems very dated 25 years into the 21st century. It addresses the impact of “the press, the cinema, radio, television and others of like nature.” (Decree on the Means of Social Communications, no. 1) None of these methods of social communications have the same cultural importance in our “smart technology” age as they did when this document was written in 1963. Today, we might speak of the impact of internet, cell phones/apps, social media, Al, etc. However, the underlying principles of this document remain as relevant today as ever.

The end goal of human communication is to build up human connection, intimacy, and solidarity, whether in a marriage, on a sport or work team, in a parish or diocese, or in a civic community or nation.

First, all human beings are called to recognize the great gift from God that is human art and language. While each animal in God’s creation has its own means of communicating with each other, no other physical creature of God uses words and paragraphs to communicate ideas as we do as humans. No other creature uses the materials of the earth to create art: sculptures, architecture, symphonies, etc. This great gift of language and symbolism has a purpose: to communicate the truth in love. This is true of all human communication. The end goal is to build up human connection, intimacy, and solidarity, whether in a marriage, on a sport or work team, in a parish or diocese, or in a civic community or nation. Therefore, a right to information on the subjects that are of concern to people either as individuals or as members of society… further, it should be communicated honestly and properly.” (Decree on the Means of Social Communications, no. 5) Intentional spreading of falsehood for the purposes of manipulation or to create division, either through the press or on social media is an offense against the very purpose of the gift of human language. No society (family, workplace, church, or state) can survive without clear communication of the truth in love.

Second, when communication is broadcast to reach a great number of people, there are greater moral implications involved that when something is communicated to only a few people. The implications of this principle affects both “content creators” and those who receive social communications.

For those who create and broadcast information, they should ensure that their content or art communicate something that is true, good, or beautiful for the sake of bringing greater understanding and wisdom to their audience. Pandering to base interests or creating occasions of sin for the sake of capitalizing on human weakness must be rejected and society has a duty to protect the immature or weak through wise laws and public policies.

Those who receive information and art by modern means of social communication also have a responsibility to seek “instruction and practical experience if they are to use the media properly.” (Decree on the Means of Social Communications, no. 16) We need to seek to understand not only the stated messages in media, but also “the subject-matter, or content, which each medium communicates in its own way.” (Decree on the Means of Social Communications, no. 4) Often, as stated famously by the philosopher Marshall McLuhan, “the medium is the message.” All of us, but especially young people need to become well-versed in media literacy. From a faith perspective, I have found the movie reviews and commentaries by Deacon Steven Grevdanus on his Decent Films website very insightful. Other Christian perspectives such as the Arts & Faith website have enriched my understanding of media literacy.

For Catholics, there are two ways of evangelizing through modern communications: through direct teaching of the Catholic faith and through developing the themes of Catholic faith through art accessible to all people.

Third, our mission of evangelization in the modern world means that we must means of modern communications to spread the Gospel. For Catholics, there are two ways of doing this: through direct teaching of the Catholic faith and through developing the themes of Catholic faith through art accessible to all people. A good example of the first way of evangelization is Bishop Fulton Sheen, who is scheduled to be beatified by the Catholic Church next month in St. Louis. In 1930, he hosted a Sunday-evening program on NBC radio called The Catholic Hour. Then in 1952, he began a very popular television program entitled Life is Worth Living. Trained in theology and philosophy, with a charismatic stage presence and sonorous rhetorical style, he recognized the importance of these new forms of social communications and brought the teachings of Catholicism to a mass audience. When accepting an Emmy Award as Most Outstanding Personality in 1952, he remarked, “I feel it is time to pay tribute to my four writers—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.”

A good example of the second way to evangelize through mess media is Paulist Father Ellwood “Bud” Kieser, the “Holly-wood Priest.” Fr. Kieser created the syndicated television program Insight from 1960-1983. Insight featured the talents of top Hollywood writers, directors, and actors to dramatize issues of faith society, and morality. Insight won multiple Emmy awards and was well received by critics for its unique style. Fr. Kieser also founded the Humanitas Prize, which recognizes films and television programs that explore the human condition “in a nuanced, meaningful way.” The list of recipients of the Humanitas Prize is still a good guide to art that is rich in spiritual and social insight. Because Catholics see the entire world through “sacramental” eyes where God can use everyday things such as bread, wine, oil, human love, and even our sins to communicate God’s Grace, evangelization through Catholic art does not need to be explicitly “religious” in order to inspire people to open themselves up to the presence of God in our world and in our lives.

As we live as disciples in the Information Age, may we as a parish, and each or us personally, seek to evangelize by speaking the truth in love, inspiring people to see the goodness in themselves and encouraging them to live up to that goodness, opening them up to beauty and wonder, build up solidarity and compassion, and being a beacon of hope in a media environment all to often dominated by propaganda, fueling of base desires, and instilling fear and division between people. This upcoming week, we will conclude our reflections on the question “What is our mission as modern Catholics?” by reading the Vatican II’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (also known by its Latin title Gaudium et spes). Click here to read this document on the Vatican website.

John