Pope urges Christians to join social networks
In his message for the 45 th World Day of Social Communications
Benedict XVI invited Christians to join social networks , in his message for the 45 th World Day of Social Communications that this year marks the June 5, 2011.
On Monday, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, the Information Office of the Holy See released the text of the message , entitled Truth and authenticity of life announcement in the digital age.
" I invite Christians to join with confidence and creativity responsible for the network of relationships that the digital age has made possible not merely to satisfy the desire to be present but because this network is an integral part of human life "says Pope.
" believers, witnessing to their deepest convictions, offer a valuable contribution, so that the network is not an instrument that reduces people to categories, which try to manipulate them emotionally or allows the powerful to monopolize the opinions of others "he says.
"Instead " he continues, encourage all believers to keep alive the eternal questions about man, that confirm their desire for transcendence and nostalgia for authentic lifestyles, worth living. "
The Pope addressed a special invitation to young people " to make good use of their presence in the digital space ."
and highlights the contribution of new technologies in preparation for the next World Youth Day to be held in Madrid in August.
Authentic and reflective
Benedict XVI offers a range of reflections on the spread of communication via the Internet, its potential applications and risks.
stressed that " also in the digital age, everyone feels the need to be a real person and reflective. "
" The desire to share, to establish 'friends', involves the challenge of being authentic, true to themselves, without succumbing to the illusion of artificially build own 'profile' public " he says.
The Pope explains that "the more you involved in the digital public space, created by social networking sites, introducing new forms of relationships which affect the image of oneself . "
" it is inevitable that do not just ask the question about the inherent quality of the act, but also the authenticity of self " he continues.
Risk Entering
analyze the risks of Internet and specifically social networks, underlines that " the presence in these virtual spaces can be an expression of a sincere search for a personal encounter with the other, such as avoiding certain risks, such as seeking refuge in a kind of parallel world, or excessive exposure to virtual world. "
To help reflect the Pope invites Internet users to ask questions: "Who is my 'neighbor' in this new world?, Is there a danger of being less visible to those who are in our ordinary everyday life? "
" Are we in danger of falling into the dispersion, since our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a world "different" to which we live?, "We take the time to reflect critically on our decisions and nurture human relationships that are truly profound and lasting? . "
In his message, Benedict XVI also indicates "some limits typical digital communication: a partial interaction, the tendency to report only some parts of the inner world, the risk of building a certain image of themselves which often leads to complacency . "
Christian presence Style
However, the Pope insists that " if used wisely," new technologies "can help satisfy the desire for meaning truth and unity which remains the deepest aspiration of the human . "
and refers to "Christian style also present in the digital world, characterized by a frank and open, accountable and respectful of others ."
According to the Bishop of Rome, " communicate the Gospel through new media means not only to overtly religious content in different media platforms, but also give coherent testimony own profile and digital communication mode preferences choices and decisions that are deeply accord with the Gospel. "
also " can not post a message in the digital world without the consistent witness who announces " he continues.
style Christian presence in the digital world involves the traditional Christian call to respond to those who ask "reason for hope."
also requires " be very vigilant about aspects of that message that would contrast with some typical logical network. "
" The value of truth we wish to share is not based on 'popularity' or the amount of attention that causes " he warns.
In this regard, Benedict XVI invited to make known the truth of the Gospel "in its entirety, rather than trying to make it acceptable " because it "must be transformed into food everyday and not a moment attraction. "
Add to that truth " even when proclaimed in the virtual space of the network is always called in" in the real world "and stresses the importance of" human relations direct transmission faith. "
Finally, it calls for those involved in the communication, who is the patron St. Francis de Sales, "the ability to perform their work conscientiously and with careful professionalism."
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
WORLD DAY FOR XLV
COMMUNICATIONS
WORLD DAY FOR XLV
COMMUNICATIONS
Truth ad and authenticity of life in the digital age Vatican, January 24, 2011, feast of St. Francis de Sales.
Dear brothers and sisters
XLV occasion of World Day of Social Communications, want to share some reflections, caused by a phenomenon of our time: the spread of communication through of internet . Increasingly extends the view that, as well as the industrial revolution was a profound change in society, innovations in the production cycle and in the lives of workers, the vast transformation in the communications field directs the great cultural changes and social today. New technologies do not change only the way to communicate, but the communication itself, so that we can say that we have a vast cultural transformation. Along with this way of disseminating information and knowledge, comes a new way of learning and thinking, and new opportunities to establish relationships and build bonds of communion.
at our disposal are presented previously unimaginable goals that amazed by the possibilities of new media, and that simultaneously with increasing urgency require serious reflection on the meaning of communication in the digital age. This is most clearly seen even when we are confronted with the extraordinary potential of Internet and complexity of their applications. Like all fruits of human ingenuity, new communication technologies must serve the integral good of the person and mankind. If used wisely, can help satisfy the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remains the deepest aspiration of human being.
transmit information in the digital world means more and more enter into a network in which knowledge is shared in the field of personal exchanges. Relativizing the distinction between producer and consumer of information and communication and is not limited to data exchange, but you want to share. This dynamic has contributed to a renewed appreciation of the act of communicating, mostly considered as a dialogue, exchange, solidarity and building positive relationships. On the other hand, all faced with some typical boundaries of digital communication: a partial interaction, the tendency to communicate only parts the inner world, the risk of building a certain image of themselves which often leads to complacency.
special way, young people are experiencing this change in communication with all the aspirations, contradictions and creativity of those who open themselves with enthusiasm and curiosity to new life experiences. The more you participate in the digital public space, created by social networking sites, introducing new forms of relationships which affect the image of oneself. Then it is inevitable that not only raised questions about the quality of the act itself, but also about the authenticity of the self. The presence in these spaces Virtual may be expression of a sincere search for a personal encounter with the other, such as avoiding certain risks, such as seeking refuge in a kind of parallel world, or excessive exposure to the virtual world. The desire to share, to establish "friendships", involves the challenge of being authentic, true to themselves, without succumbing to the illusion of building artificially own "profile" public.
New technologies allow people to lie beyond the boundaries of space and their own cultures, thus inaugurating a new world of potential friends. This is a great opportunity, but also means greater attention and an awareness of potential risks. Who is my "neighbor" in this new world? Is there a danger of being less visible to those who are in regular everyday life? Are we in danger of falling into the dispersion, since our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a "different" from which we live? Do you take time to think critically about our decisions and nurture human relationships that are truly profound and lasting? It is important to always remember that the virtual contact can not and should not replace direct human contact in all aspects of our lives.
also in the digital age, everyone feels the need to be a genuine and thoughtful person. In addition, social networks show that one is always involved in what it communicates. When information is exchanged, people share themselves, their world view, their hopes, their ideals. Therefore, it can be said that there is a Christian style also present in the digital world, characterized by a frank and open, accountable and respectful of others. Communicating the Gospel through new media means not only to overtly religious content in different media platforms, but also give consistent witness in their own digital profile and how to communicate preferences, choices and judgments who are profoundly accord with the Gospel, even when not explicitly discuss it. Nor can post a message in the digital world without the consistent witness who advertised. In new contexts and new forms of expression, the Christian is called back to answer who asks reason for their hope (cf. 1 P 3.15).
commitment to witness the Gospel in the digital age requires all being very vigilant about aspects of that message that would contrast with some typical logical network. We especially aware that the value of truth we want share is not based on "popularity" or the amount of attention it causes. We must make it known in its entirety, rather than trying to make it acceptable, perhaps misleading. It must become everyday food and not attract a moment.
The truth of the Gospel can not be an object of consumption or enjoyment superficial, but a gift that calls for free response. That truth, even when proclaimed in the virtual space of the network is always known to be embodied in the real world and in relation to specific faces of the brothers and sisters with whom we share our everyday life. So, remain vital direct human relations in the transmission of faith.
However, I wish to invite Christians to join with confidence and creativity responsible for the network of relationships that the digital age has made possible not merely to satisfy the desire to be present, but because this network is an integral part of human life . The network is helping to develop new and more complex forms of intellectual and spiritual awareness, common understanding. Also in this field we are called to proclaim our faith in Christ who is God, the Saviour of men and history, the One in whom all things reach their peak (cf. Eph 1 10). The proclamation of the Gospel is a form of communication respectful and unobtrusive, prompting moves the heart and conscience in a way that evokes the style of the risen Jesus when he became traveling companion of the disciples of Emmaus (cf. Lk 24, 13 -35), who gradually led by its proximity to the understanding of the mystery, talking with them, gently trying to manifest what they had in the heart.
Truth, Christ, is finally complete and authentic response to this human desire for relationship, fellowship and respect, which is manifested in the massive participation in the various social networks. Believers testifying to their deepest convictions, offer a valuable contribution to the network is not an instrument that reduces people to categories, which try to manipulate emotionally or allows the powerful to monopolize the opinions of others. On the contrary, believers encourage everyone to keep alive the eternal questions about man, testifying its desire for transcendence and nostalgia for authentic life forms, worth living. This tension typically human spirit is precisely what underlies our thirst for truth and communion, which drives us to communicate with integrity and honesty.
I invite especially those young people to make good use of their presence in the digital space. I reiterate our appointment at the next World Youth Day in Madrid, whose preparation owes much to the benefits of new technologies. For those who work in communication, I ask God, through the intercession of his patron, St. Francis de Sales, the ability to perform their work conscientiously and with careful professionalism, while I impart to all my Apostolic Blessing.
Vatican, January 24, 2011, feast of St. Francis de Sales.
