Facebook, MySpace and Twitter should be used by Christians looking to
bring "truth, proclamation and authenticity of life" to the web today,
the Pope said in his message for the 45th World Day of Social
Communications.
In his message released on Jan. 24, the Pope called for a greater
Christian presence online in the midst of the "vast cultural
transformation" caused by the digital age. New technologies, he said,
are "giving birth to a new way learning and thinking, with unprecedented
opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship."
If technologies are used with wisdom, he explained, "they can
contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and
unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being."
Pope Benedict also warned about the dangers of falsifying one's online profile and creating a "parallel existence."
He instead urged people to be authentic and faithful when they share information or make "friends" online.
The "Christian way" of being present in the digital world means being
"honest and open, responsible and respectful of others," he explained.
It is a way of communicating that is consistent with the Gospel,
supported by actions worthy of the same witness in one's daily life.
"New and more complex intellectual and spiritual horizons (and) new
forms of shared awareness" are opened up by new technologies and
Christians are also called to proclaim their faith in God in these
spaces, the Pope said.
"Believers who bear witness to their most profound convictions
greatly help prevent the internet from becoming an instrument which
depersonalizes people, attempts to manipulate them emotionally or allows
those who are powerful to monopolize the opinions of others," he said.
Christ's truth is not a question of online popularity, the Pope
added, rather, it is "the full and authentic response to that human
desire for relationship, communion and meaning which is reflected in the
immense popularity of social networks."
While noting that "direct human relations" are always essential to
sharing the faith, he invited Christians to"confidently and with an
informed and responsible creativity, join the network of relationships
which the digital era has made possible."
Having a Christian presence online is based not only on a desire to
be there, but "because this network is an integral part of human life,"
he said.
The Pope's message was presented during a press conference at the
Holy See's Press Office on Jan. 24, the feast of St. Francis de Sales,
patron saint of communications workers.
Archbishop Claudio Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for
Social Communications, led the presentation.
He announced that the
Vatican hopes to have a new communications portal online by Easter.
It will provide a single multimedia site for easy access to the major
media communications agencies of the Holy See, such as the press
office, Vatican Radio, the Vatican Television Center, L'Osservatore
Romano and Fides news.
Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, who was also among those
present for the presentation, also announced that during a Feb. 10
celebration for the 80-year anniversary of the radio station, he will
launch a feature called "VaticanTic" on the station's website.
The tool
will allow users to view the Pope's schedule.
SIC: CNA/INT'L