The Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach, has urged married couples to prioritize effective communication as a foundation for peaceful and stable families.
He made the appeal on Sunday, July 13, 2025, while presiding over the belated Soroti Catholic Diocese Communication Day celebrations.
Speaking in Katine Catholic Parish, Bishop Eciru emphasized that communication is not just a tool for spreading information but a divine responsibility to transform lives.
He encouraged Christians to embrace all available means of communication to share the Gospel and foster harmony in society.
“Let us communicate the word of God, the word that transforms life,” the bishop urged. “We are all invited to be communicators of hope in our homes and communities.”
He specifically called on married couples to engage in open, honest, and respectful dialogue as a way of resolving misunderstandings and strengthening their relationships.
According to the bishop, many family conflicts can be traced to poor communication, which can escalate simple disagreements into serious disputes.
“For families to be peaceful, there must be good communication between husband and wife,” he said.
“We should learn to listen to one another, understand each other’s feelings, and avoid harsh or hurtful words.”
Bishop Eciru noted that effective communication is critical not only in resolving conflicts but also in building trust and nurturing love.
He warned against the dangers of silence, suspicion, and misinterpretation in relationships, which often breed resentment and division.
He further challenged Christians to use all available communication platforms to spread positive messages.
He cited modern tools like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, radio, and television as powerful channels for evangelization and social transformation if used responsibly.
“Social media and mass media are part of our daily lives. Let us use them to communicate the Gospel, to share messages of hope and truth,” Bishop Eciru said. “We should not use these platforms to insult, abuse, or spread falsehood.”
He reminded the faithful of Pope Francis’ 2025 World Communications Day message, in which the late Pontiff called on Christians to be “communicators of hope.”
Bishop Eciru echoed this call, saying that in a world often dominated by negative news and divisive rhetoric, Christians must be intentional about spreading encouragement, understanding, and reconciliation.
“In line with the message of our late Holy Father Pope Francis, let us become communicators of hope. Our words should lift people up, not bring them down,” he said.
“We must be careful not to take information out of context or share things that harm others.”
Bishop Eciru also warned against the spread of misinformation and urged Christians to verify the accuracy of what they share, especially online.
He said that being responsible communicators means being conscious of the impact our words can have on others.
“We must be conscious of our communication. Let us disarm misinformation by choosing to share what is true, accurate, and constructive,” he said. “Do not take things out of context or twist facts to suit our interests.”
The Soroti Catholic Diocese Communication Day is part of the Church’s efforts to encourage reflection on the importance of communication in evangelization and everyday life.
It brings together parish communication committees, media practitioners, and faithful to discuss ways of improving communication within the diocese and beyond..
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