pope benedict xvi: message for the 47th world communications day

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  • 7/27/2019 Pope Benedict XVI: Message for the 47th World Communications Day

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    MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS

    POPE BENEDICT XVI

    FOR THE 47th WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

    "Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization."

    One line summary:

    Dont forget to bring God into the social networks and in the digital world.

    Quote that summarizes the message:

    There should be no lack of coherence or unity in the expression of our faith and

    witness to the Gospel in whatever reality we are called to live, whether physical or

    digital. When we are present to others, in any way at all, we are called to make known

    the love of God to the furthest ends of the earth.

    Summary:

    Pope Benedict XVI reminds us to bring God into the digital space since the social

    networks are becoming part of the very fabric of society, are helping to create a new

    agora and are a part of the daily experience of many people, especially the young.

    The proof of the importance and relevance of religion in public debate and in the life of

    society is the growing dialogue in social networks about faith and belief. The way

    believers can participate in this is through sharing to those they meet in the digital

    forum Jesus Christ, their profound source of hope and joy, not only through explicit

    expression but also through their witness, which is shown in their choices, preferences

    and judgments that are fully consistent with the Gospel. Moreover, the Holy Father

    also calls upon the commitment of people in the development of these social networks

    and ensuring that it leads to the good.

    Notes:

    1. Digital Social Networks are helping to create a new agora

    a. Agora an open public square in which people share ideas, information

    and opinions, and in which new relationships and forms of community

    can come into being.

    2. Advantages of these spaces:

    a. Helps foster forms of dialogue and debate that can reinforce the bonds of

    unity between individuals and effectively communicate the harmony of

    human family.i. Given that it is engaged in a wise and balanced way, and if

    conducted with concern for privacy, responsibility and

    truthfulness.

    b. In the digital space,

    i. Exchange of information (becomes)Communication

    ii. LinksFriendships

    iii. ConnectionsCommunion

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    c. Important: the need for authenticitybecause were not just sharing ideas

    and information, were also sharing our very selves.

    3. There is a need for commitment in developing social networks because these are

    increasingly becoming part of the very fabric of society.

    a.

    People engage in these networks to:i. Build relationships and make friends

    ii. Look for answers to their questions

    iii. Entertainment

    iv. Finding intellectual stimulation

    v. Sharing knowledge and know-how

    4. Culture of social networks and changes in communication styles pose challenges

    for those who want to talk about the truth and values because:

    a. Significance of content appears to be determined by popularity rather

    than intrinsic value and importance.

    i. Popularity due to celebrity and persuasiveness rather than logic of

    argumentation.

    b. Thus, the gentle voice of reason is tramped upon by excessive info and

    more persuasive messages.

    c. The Holy Father calls upon the commitment of those who will safeguard

    the value of dialogue and reasoned debate so that it flourishes and grows

    as we converse with the diversity of culture of others.

    5. Challenge for believers: how to be truly inclusive.

    a. Believers become aware that if the Good News is not made known also in

    the digital world, it may be absent in the experience of many people forwhom this existential space is important.

    b. The digital world is important because it is becoming a part of the daily

    experience of people, especially the young.

    6. There is the need to employ new languages in communicating the Gospel in the

    digital environment (i.e. words are normally accompanied by images and sounds

    in the digital world).

    a. Effective communication must involve the imagination and affectivity of

    the audience just like Jesus parables.

    b.

    Christian tradition does not lack these because there are lots of faith-inspired artworks like paintings and music.

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    7. Authentic of believers in social networks is in sharing their faith in Jesus Christ,

    which is the profound source of their hope and joy.

    a. This sharing involves not only explicit expression but also unspoken

    things like our witness through our choices, preferences and judgments.

    b. One way of witness is patience in engaging the questions of others in

    their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence.c. Importance of religion in society is affirmed by growing dialogue about it

    in social networks.

    8. There is the natural desire for believers to share, respectfully and tactfully, to

    those they meet in the digital space Jesus Christ.

    a. This is because they believe that the answers to mankinds questions

    about love, truth and the meaning of life questions that are not absent

    in the social networksare in him.

    b. Gods Word has the intrinsic power to touch the hearts of people even

    without our efforts thats why we have to trust in His Work and not in our

    human means.

    c. Call for attentive discernmentbecause sensationalism and divisiveness

    can prevail in the digital environment.

    d. Everyone is open to the faith because of the basic human desire to love

    and to be loved and to find meaning and truth, which God placed in

    everyones hearts.

    9. Social networks, aside from evangelization, can also facilitate human

    development

    a. It can bring a sense of community to other places where they feel

    isolated.b. It can help bring people who share the same faith to pray together.

    c. Engagement with those who have questions and doubts of those distant

    in the faith should compel us to nourish our faith and practical charity

    through prayer and reflection.

    i. Dont be just words but have practical charity: If I speak in the

    tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong

    or a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1)

    10.Digital world can make people discover other dimensions of the faith like direct

    encounters, experience of community and even pilgrimages.

    11.In any reality we are in, physical or digital, we are called to express our faith and

    witness to the Gospel.

    12.When we are present to others, in any way at all, we are called to make known

    the love of God to the furthest ends of the earth.

    END