05 Oct 2015 WACC Europe congratulates French TV programme Présence Protestante for 60 years of broadcasts on faith, values and ethics

WACC Europe leaders have praised the French Protestant television programme, Présence Protestante, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in October.

Produced by the television service of the Protestant Federation of France, a WACC corporate member, Présence Protestante goes out weekly on the French public television channel France 2.

Since the first broadcast on 2 October 1955 then there have been 3240 programmes dealing with matters of faith, ethics and values, as well as subjects such as art, history and contemporary issues.

WACC Europe president Stephen Brown and vice-president Marianne Ejdersten pointed to the role of the programme in raising issues of faith within the public arena.

“Its themes also witness to values that transcend differences of culture, religion and conviction, such as hope, solidarity and compassion,” they said in a message to the FPF president, Pastor François Clavairoly, and the head of the FPF television service, Marie Orcel.

Présence Protestante regularly takes part in the European Television Festival of Religious Programmes, co-organised every three years by WACC Europe and its Roman Catholic opposite number SIGNIS Europe. The WACC Europe president and vice-president commended Présence Protestante for co-hosting the next TV festival, scheduled for 2017 in Paris.

Their message noted that in 2011, WACC global formulated seven guiding principles – that communication is a spiritual exercise, builds and shapes community, enhances participation, promotes freedom and demands accountability, celebrates cultural diversity, builds connectedness, and affirms justice and challenges injustice.

“For the past 60 years Présence Protestante has witnessed to these principles,” the two WACC Europe officers said. “In this spirit we wish every success to Présence Protestante in the years to come.”

WACC Europe letter (in French)