Multilingual Arab Christian TV network launched

BEIRUT, Lebanon, OCT. 8, 2010 (Zenit.org) - The largest Arabic-speaking Christian television network launched its first multilingual satellite program, aimed to reach a worldwide audience.

The Lebanese network, Tele Lumiere, launched an international program in various languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian.

It noted the aim to make this station "an international free platform for peace and dialogue, communicating from Lebanon to the world the true face of humanity."

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, apostolic nuncio to Lebanon; Bishop Roland Abou Jaoude, Maronite Patriarchal Protosyncellus in Lebanon as well as the chairman of Tele Lumiere; and Laure Sleiman Saab, National News Agency director. Various ambassadors attended the gathering as well, along with general consuls and other social and political leaders.

Archbishop Caccia noted the upcoming Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East, which begins Sunday in Rome, and the corresponding working document that speaks about the need to support the media in this region.

He stated, "The new means of communication, a very effective tool in witnessing to the Gospel -- the Internet (especially for young people), radio and TV -- are too little utilized by us."

The network leaders are schedules to give an intervention at the synod.

As well, Tele Lumiere will be opening a bureau in the Vatican, in collaboration with the Catholic news agency H2O.

In the inaugural speech for the international program, Jacques Kallassi, general manager of Tele Lumiere, noted that the network aims to lead the discussion "on the main subjects that attract people's attention, regardless of their confessions."

He said that "this ceremony celebrates the launching of a new era of international programming based on common interests, shared values, and mutual exchange, building on every country's unique strengths and the power of the example of our Church to promote universal values."

Bishop Roland Abou Joudeh underlined this initiative as a means of building relations with all foreign countries.

Marie-Therese Kreidy, the director of programs of the network, noted that this platform's purpose "is to share with the world every positive contribution for peace and a better life in every possible language."