Christians in social networksThe Dicastery for Communication has recently published a document entitled "Towards full presence. A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media."(Towards Full Presence. A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Networks), which offers advice and guidance to the religious community in its navigation of social networks.
The document was signed by its lay prefect Paolo Ruffini and its Argentinean secretary Monsignor Lucio A. Ruiz, who included excerpts from many of Pope Francis' speeches at past World Communications Days.
Perhaps we need to change the name of the song "Life is a Highway" to "Life is a Digital Highway", since there is no turning back: We are witnessing the digitalization of the Church.
But the question is: How do we, as individuals and as a community of faith, go about living in the digital world as "loving neighbors" who are genuinely present and attentive to one another in our shared journey along these "digital highways." While great strides have been made in the digital age, this issue has yet to be addressed.
New digital space
Since its appearance, the social networks have experienced their own growing pains, and many faithful Christians are looking for "guidance and inspiration" as digital culture continues to influence their individual and collective trajectories.
The proposals are timely but are not intended to be "precise guidelines" for pastoral ministry in this space; the goal and hope is to "foster a culture of neighborliness" in a space where challenges are inevitable. And the Church recognizes that the digital world is a significant part of most people's identity and way of life, so the "question is no longer whether to engage in the digital world." Now, the question is how do followers of Christ behave in the digital realm and remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus and... not Twitter.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the importance of media etiquette and advised that the media promote "a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship." Similarly, Pope Francis understands that the digital "space" in which we are all immersed has changed the way humanity receives knowledge, "disseminates information and develops relationships."
Moreover, the Church is fully aware that digital media is, in fact, an effective and "powerful tool for its ministry." There was no better proof of this than during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the world faced its modern plague, and it was in that digital space that the frightened, the lonely, the sick and the grieving flocked and found refuge and hope.
The reflection posed questions to the faithful such as the following: "What kind of humanity is reflected in our presence in digital environments? What part of our digital relationships is the fruit of deep and truthful communication, and what part is merely shaped by unquestioning opinions and passionate reactions? What part of our faith finds lively and refreshing digital expressions? And who is my 'neighbor' on social networks?"
A new world
The text also noted that while some were born into this digital culture, others, described as "digital immigrants," are still adapting. Whether you are a digital professional or a novice, "online" versus "offline" is no longer part of the digital disciple's vocabulary, citing that "our culture is now a digital culture."
Since social media play a decisive role in shaping our values, beliefs, language and assumptions about daily life, the reflection suggests that we be aware of the "traps on the digital highway." For example, social networks can be dangerous when we rely on them to validate us and adopt behaviors incompatible with Christian values, so we need to be aware of the ethics of the digital circles in which we congregate.
In this "ecosystem, people are asked to trust the authenticity of the mission statements of social media companies," which claim to bring people together and create healthy spaces where ideas are shared.
Too often, however, companies are more concerned with "profit". Moreover, social media has "transformed users into consumers...and individuals are both consumers and commodities." More often, many people "accept at their peril terms of agreement" that they rarely read or understand.
The text reminds us that we must also be aware of other dangers, such as "encouraging extreme behavior" in an environment that can be a breeding ground and "fertile ground for violence, abuse and misinformation". And while the digital divide is real and cannot be ignored, we can combat and find solutions to "digital discontent".
The Good Samaritan online
The reflection offers good advice: "To humanize digital environments, we must not forget those who are 'left behind'. We can only see what is happening if we look from the perspective of the wounded man in the parable of the Good Samaritan. As in the parable, where we are informed of what the wounded man has seen, the perspective of the digitally marginalized and wounded helps us to better understand today's increasingly complex world."
It also reminds Christians to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. We should ask ourselves, "How can we create healthier online experiences where people can engage in conversations and overcome disagreements in a spirit of mutual listening?"
He adds that we must be "intentional listeners". He reminds: "The disciple who has encountered the merciful gaze of Christ has experienced something else. He or she knows that communicating well begins with listening and awareness that another person is before me. Listening and awareness are intended to foster encounter and overcome existing obstacles, including that of indifference....."
The document is loaded with reminders that, as Christians, we must embody the virtues of Christ and care for our "wounded neighbor," and be the change we hope to encounter. "And it may be, then, that from our loving and genuine presence in these digital spheres of human life, a way may be opened toward what St. John and St. Paul longed for in their letters: the face-to-face encounter of each wounded person with the Body of the Lord, the Church, so that in a personal, heart-to-heart encounter, their wounds and ours may be healed and "our joy may be full" (2 Jn 12).
