Lecture by Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, on the Priests’ Day of the Diocese of Sisak

The Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of the Catholic University of Croatia, Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, delivered a lecture entitled “How to Preach in a World of False Information and False Memories” at the Priests’ Day of the Diocese of Sisak on Thursday, February 5.

In her lecture, Prof. Ćurković Nimac placed preaching, and the homily in particular, within the contemporary context of an “information blizzard,” in which it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish verified facts from fabrications. “Fake news, due to its sensationalism, repetition, and the sense of belonging it offers, spreads faster than the truth and deepens mistrust and social divisions,” she emphasized. She also warned about the fragility of memory, noting that memory is not a “recording of events” but a reconstruction influenced by time, emotions, and authority. “People often remember interpretations rather than the events themselves, which makes narratives easily changeable and susceptible to manipulation,” she stressed.

“In such an environment, the Sunday homily becomes a rare communicative space of high attention and trust: the faithful have 10 to 15 minutes of ‘offline’ recollection, which makes the preacher’s responsibility all the greater,” said Prof. Ćurković Nimac. As key guidelines, she emphasized clarity, meaningfulness, and a connection to the concrete lives of people. Instead of overloading with information, she recommended offering two to three core ideas, avoiding “quick fixes” and fear-inducing messages, and building the homily on verified sources - especially when addressing sensitive topics or groups.

She also called for the conscious shaping of ethos, pathos, and logos, following Aristotle, stressing that ethos - the credibility of one’s life and words - is crucial in a time of widespread distrust, since people more readily accept truth from those they trust. She encouraged authenticity, speaking “from within,” including one’s own struggles, avoiding a judgmental tone, and using inclusive “we” language that fosters a sense of community.

She also highlighted the power of ritual, noting that the repetition of liturgical rhythm, silence, and gesture does not merely convey information, but implants faith and shapes identity. Among the practical elements of preaching, she emphasized the importance of thorough preparation and a clear structure (introduction, key points, conclusion), practicing aloud, maintaining eye contact and mindful body language, varying one’s voice and using the “power of the pause,” as well as employing stories and examples that are remembered more easily than abstract explanations.

In conclusion, she stressed that in the unstable “sea of information,” the homily should serve as an anchor. In a time of disinformation, what matters is not only what is preached, but also how—and by whom—it is proclaimed: “The truth of the Gospel becomes convincing only when the message, the manner of proclamation, and the preacher’s life are in harmony,” she concluded.