As in recent years, this year too the Pope’s message for the World Day of Social Communications concerns the internet. He speaks about the technological and cultural transformation taking which is creating “new way of learning and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship.”
The Pope observes “As with every other fruit of human ingenuity, the new communications technologies must be placed at the service of the integral good of the individual and of the whole of humanity.” Communication is becoming a positive form of sharing in fact. However, it is necessary to note “the limits typical of digital communication: the one-sidedness of the interaction, the tendency to communicate only some parts of one’s interior world, the risk of constructing a false image of oneself, which can become a form of self-indulgence.”
The Pope makes special reference to social networks where “In the search for sharing, for "friends", there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile for oneself” and which gives a new answer to the gospel question “Who is my neighbour?” While speaking about a correct sort of presence on the net, he reminds them “that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives,” and suggests a Christian style of presence. “To proclaim the Gospel through the new media means not only to insert expressly religious content into different media platforms, but also to witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgements that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifically.”
Going beyond some typical ways of thinking associated with the web – popularity and quantity – Benedict XVI recalls that “. The truth of the Gospel is not something to be consumed or used superficially; rather it is a gift that calls for a free response.” He invites Christians to be consciously and responsibly creative and to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible “because this network is an integral part of human life.” “In the final analysis, the truth of Christ 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.”
Before concluding the Pope addresses the young inviting them “to make good use of their presence in the digital world” and renews his invitation to the World Youth Day in Madrid, an event to the preparations of which the new technologies are contributing greatly.
Shortly the Salesians’ Department and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Area of Social Communication will make available a set of material in preparation for the effective celebration of the 45th World Day of Social Communications.
Published 24/01/2011
