Pope is a fan of “the WYD of Social Networks”
Benedict XVI encourages making good use of networks and supports the 'Like' option as a means of witnessing to the faith
Madrid, January 24, 2011 - Benedict XVI has encouraged all Catholics, especially young people, to use social networks to bear witness to the faith. In his message for World Communications Day, he has taken the opportunity to reiterate the invitation to the upcoming World Youth Day in Madrid where, he mentioned, “the new technologies are contributing greatly to the preparations.”
The Pope explains that thanks to social networking, “new horizons are now open that were until recently unimaginable” and they “allow people to meet each other beyond the confines of space and of their own culture.” In short, they are "an integral part of human life."
He says that social networks have fostered a cultural transformation, as did the industrial revolution: "communication appears not only as an exchange of data, but also as a form of sharing. This dynamic has contributed to a new appreciation of communication itself, which is seen first of all as dialogue, exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations.”
“Witness consistently”
“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.”
As is the case with any instrument, the Pope reiterates, the key lies in how it is put to use: “If used wisely, they can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being.” He also reminds us that “virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact,” as “direct human relations always remain fundamental for the transmission of the faith!”
A clear example: the WYD Facebook page
WYD in Madrid could rightly be dubbed “the WYD of Social Networks.” They are the working site in preparations for the upcoming WYD and the opportunities new technologies offer are evident. The WYD Facebook page helps many groups from different countries who plan to attend WYD to meet one another, discuss their questions and concerns and, in some cases, the page has even led them to organize other activities together, like walking the “Camino de Santiago” (Way of St. James) after World Youth Day.
All the WYD fans on social networks can easily spread the word about World Youth Day among their friends by posting information about it on their profiles and encouraging them to participate. “This is what is called donating your status’ on Facebook, and we encourage them to do so on the 21st of each month, as the 21st is the date of the Closing Mass for World Youth Day,” said Cristina del Campo, Community Manager of WYD Madrid.
In addition, with all the WYD profiles of WYD, one could say that the Catholic spirit takes on a new dimension. "On one occasion, we published a message from a young man who was receiving chemotherapy and he told us he was offering his illness for the spiritual fruits of WYD. A few minutes later, there were more than a hundred comments from people promising to pray for him. Not only that, but if someone tries to invade our page by making negative or disrepectful comments, the fans themselves challenge him to reflect and change his comments. There are never insults exchanged. There is a spirit of harmony and a great family atmosphere that increases each day," said Cristina.
Today, the official WYD Facebook page has 214,500 followers of all different nationalities. WYD Facebook pages are available in 20 languages (Spanish, English, Arabic, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, etc.), mostly maintained by volunteers. WYD also has Tuenti (the most popular Spanish social network) page with more than 10,265 followers and 1,375 followers on Twitter. The most recent profiles have been opened on Orkut, the Google social network used by 53.94% of the Brazilian population; Mixi, the largest one in Japan and Vkontakte, based in Russia.
Full Text: Pope's Message for the XLV World Communications Day.
Benedict XVI encourages making good use of networks and supports the 'Like' option as a means of witnessing to the faith
Madrid, January 24, 2011 - Benedict XVI has encouraged all Catholics, especially young people, to use social networks to bear witness to the faith. In his message for World Communications Day, he has taken the opportunity to reiterate the invitation to the upcoming World Youth Day in Madrid where, he mentioned, “the new technologies are contributing greatly to the preparations.”
The Pope explains that thanks to social networking, “new horizons are now open that were until recently unimaginable” and they “allow people to meet each other beyond the confines of space and of their own culture.” In short, they are "an integral part of human life."
He says that social networks have fostered a cultural transformation, as did the industrial revolution: "communication appears not only as an exchange of data, but also as a form of sharing. This dynamic has contributed to a new appreciation of communication itself, which is seen first of all as dialogue, exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations.”
“Witness consistently”
“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.”
As is the case with any instrument, the Pope reiterates, the key lies in how it is put to use: “If used wisely, they can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being.” He also reminds us that “virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact,” as “direct human relations always remain fundamental for the transmission of the faith!”
A clear example: the WYD Facebook page
WYD in Madrid could rightly be dubbed “the WYD of Social Networks.” They are the working site in preparations for the upcoming WYD and the opportunities new technologies offer are evident. The WYD Facebook page helps many groups from different countries who plan to attend WYD to meet one another, discuss their questions and concerns and, in some cases, the page has even led them to organize other activities together, like walking the “Camino de Santiago” (Way of St. James) after World Youth Day.
All the WYD fans on social networks can easily spread the word about World Youth Day among their friends by posting information about it on their profiles and encouraging them to participate. “This is what is called donating your status’ on Facebook, and we encourage them to do so on the 21st of each month, as the 21st is the date of the Closing Mass for World Youth Day,” said Cristina del Campo, Community Manager of WYD Madrid.
In addition, with all the WYD profiles of WYD, one could say that the Catholic spirit takes on a new dimension. "On one occasion, we published a message from a young man who was receiving chemotherapy and he told us he was offering his illness for the spiritual fruits of WYD. A few minutes later, there were more than a hundred comments from people promising to pray for him. Not only that, but if someone tries to invade our page by making negative or disrepectful comments, the fans themselves challenge him to reflect and change his comments. There are never insults exchanged. There is a spirit of harmony and a great family atmosphere that increases each day," said Cristina.
Today, the official WYD Facebook page has 214,500 followers of all different nationalities. WYD Facebook pages are available in 20 languages (Spanish, English, Arabic, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, etc.), mostly maintained by volunteers. WYD also has Tuenti (the most popular Spanish social network) page with more than 10,265 followers and 1,375 followers on Twitter. The most recent profiles have been opened on Orkut, the Google social network used by 53.94% of the Brazilian population; Mixi, the largest one in Japan and Vkontakte, based in Russia.
Full Text: Pope's Message for the XLV World Communications Day.
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