When Pope Francis talks about the need to get into 'digital highways' and 'internet connectivity', everyone sits up and takes notice. There was a time when internet was dubbed as a tool of Satan to corrupt and trap people. It's no more Satan's tool.
Vatican is never behind anyone in using internet and digital technology to get connected to the world and faithful. The Holy See uses networks like Twitter and Facebook widely to spread messages and connect with people. Pontiff's message on the World Communication Day last week was something unique as he talked about a world which is growing ever 'smaller' and where, as a result, it would seem to be easier for all of us to be neighbours. These are some of the gems from his message.
* The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God. (Think about it, Pope is saying this)
* Let us boldly become citizens of the digital world. (it's Pope's clarion call to go fully into the digital highway).
* We should not overlook the fact that those who for whatever reason lack access to social media run the risk of being left behind.
* It is not enough to be passers-by on the digital highways, simply 'connected'; connections need to grow into true encounters.
News.va, the official Vatican network, quoted Pope as saying, "good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. The walls which divide us can be broken down only if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another." Social networking sites and other media forms can be good tools to facilitate the elimination the Chinese walls in the society. His words "this (internet) is something truly good, a gift from God" have caught the attention of many across the world.
Fully endorsing the use of digital world, he said, “It is not enough to be passers-by on the digital highways, simply 'connected'; connections need to grow into true encounters. We cannot live apart, closed in on ourselves. We need to love and to be loved. We need tenderness. Media strategies do not ensure beauty, goodness and truth in communication. The world of media also has to be concerned with humanity, it too is called to show tenderness. The digital world can be an environment rich in humanity; a network not of wires but of people."
Vatican is clear that communication is a means of expressing the missionary vocation of the entire Church. Today, the social networks are one way to experience this call to discover the beauty of faith, the beauty of encountering Christ. "In the area of communications too, we need a Church capable of bringing warmth and of stirring hearts," Pope Francis says.
The world media is witnessing a major churn. Newspapers and magazines are facing a major crisis while mobile technology and digital media are making major advancements. As a media professional, this writer is already experiencing the pit-falls. When viewed from another level, the revolution taking place in communications media and in information technologies represents a great and thrilling challenge. As Pope says, "may we respond to that challenge with fresh energy and imagination as we seek to share with others the beauty of God."
However, Pope's endorsement comes with a warning against the highly consumeristic and capitalistic world. “Whenever communication is primarily aimed at promoting consumption or manipulating others, we are dealing with a form of violent aggression like that suffered by the man in the parable, who was beaten by robbers and left abandoned on the road." (He is referring to the Good Samaritan's parable in the Bible -- Luke 10:29).
But the key word is good communication which can help us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all, he says.
Thomas Friedman who wrote the best-selling book 'The World is Flat' on globalisation called himself a "compassionate flatist". One can say Pope Francis is a "compassionate techie" who wants to use the digital world effectively for good communication.
-- GEORGE MATHEW
Vatican is never behind anyone in using internet and digital technology to get connected to the world and faithful. The Holy See uses networks like Twitter and Facebook widely to spread messages and connect with people. Pontiff's message on the World Communication Day last week was something unique as he talked about a world which is growing ever 'smaller' and where, as a result, it would seem to be easier for all of us to be neighbours. These are some of the gems from his message.
* The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God. (Think about it, Pope is saying this)
* Let us boldly become citizens of the digital world. (it's Pope's clarion call to go fully into the digital highway).
* We should not overlook the fact that those who for whatever reason lack access to social media run the risk of being left behind.
* It is not enough to be passers-by on the digital highways, simply 'connected'; connections need to grow into true encounters.
News.va, the official Vatican network, quoted Pope as saying, "good communication helps us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. The walls which divide us can be broken down only if we are prepared to listen and learn from one another." Social networking sites and other media forms can be good tools to facilitate the elimination the Chinese walls in the society. His words "this (internet) is something truly good, a gift from God" have caught the attention of many across the world.
Fully endorsing the use of digital world, he said, “It is not enough to be passers-by on the digital highways, simply 'connected'; connections need to grow into true encounters. We cannot live apart, closed in on ourselves. We need to love and to be loved. We need tenderness. Media strategies do not ensure beauty, goodness and truth in communication. The world of media also has to be concerned with humanity, it too is called to show tenderness. The digital world can be an environment rich in humanity; a network not of wires but of people."
Vatican is clear that communication is a means of expressing the missionary vocation of the entire Church. Today, the social networks are one way to experience this call to discover the beauty of faith, the beauty of encountering Christ. "In the area of communications too, we need a Church capable of bringing warmth and of stirring hearts," Pope Francis says.
The world media is witnessing a major churn. Newspapers and magazines are facing a major crisis while mobile technology and digital media are making major advancements. As a media professional, this writer is already experiencing the pit-falls. When viewed from another level, the revolution taking place in communications media and in information technologies represents a great and thrilling challenge. As Pope says, "may we respond to that challenge with fresh energy and imagination as we seek to share with others the beauty of God."
However, Pope's endorsement comes with a warning against the highly consumeristic and capitalistic world. “Whenever communication is primarily aimed at promoting consumption or manipulating others, we are dealing with a form of violent aggression like that suffered by the man in the parable, who was beaten by robbers and left abandoned on the road." (He is referring to the Good Samaritan's parable in the Bible -- Luke 10:29).
But the key word is good communication which can help us to grow closer, to know one another better, and ultimately, to grow in unity. In a world like this, media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which can in turn inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all, he says.
Thomas Friedman who wrote the best-selling book 'The World is Flat' on globalisation called himself a "compassionate flatist". One can say Pope Francis is a "compassionate techie" who wants to use the digital world effectively for good communication.
-- GEORGE MATHEW
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