TV María begins broadcast in Manila to promote evangelisation via media
Manila (AsiaNews/CBCP) – “Another milestone has been reached in our efforts at further improving the TV channel: TV María is ready for direct broadcasting via internet,” announced Fr Joselito L. Jopson, director of TV María, the country’s first Catholic television network, which last Friday officially launched its live broadcast direct from its headquarters in Pandacan, Manila.
The archbishop of Manila, Card Luis Antonio Tagle was present at the opening ceremony. In his address, broadcast live on the studio inside the Caritas compound in Pandacan, Manila, Card Tagle went on to expound on the beauty and importance of social communications, and how this noble undertaking ultimately originates in a God who continues to speak and reach out to humankind.
“This is our mission,” Card Tagle said. “Through us, His Church, God talks to us . . . God is a God of communication. God is not self-absorbed. He revealed Himself to us . . . And we as Church continues what God has started.”
“This is not about ratings, publicity, or image-building . . . This is an apostolate . . . With faith, hope, and love, TV María strives to do its share in making God’s work known, and in inviting its audience to respond to His call,” the prelate added.
TV María is owned by the TV María Foundation Philippines, a non-profit, non-stock organisation under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila.
It airs 24 hours a day and is currently available on major and provincial cable operators, and via online livestreaming.
Most of the programming are both in-house production and through airing programmes from Jesuit Communications Foundation, Kerygma Foundation, Family Rosary Crusade, Society of St. Paul, and other Catholic groups.
“The ancient Christians created paintings and murals depicting scenes from the Bible,“ Card Tagle said. “They did this in order to educate others on the faith . . . Using today’s technology, TV María is doing the same,” he explained.
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