Social networks: portals of truth and faith, new spaces for evangelization

Each year, on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we are celebrating the World Communication Day as declared by the Holy Father fifty years ago through the document Inter Mirifica.  The Holy Father shall deliver each year a message regarding the usage of the modern means of communications for proclaiming the Good News of Salvation.

This year, the topic has been set: "Social networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization".

First, the Holy Father and the Church recognize the new "agora" of communications: social networking.  Note that in forming networks, not only information is passed, "but ultimately, our very selves."

Second, in sharing our very selves, "a great degree of truth and values is at stake here" vs. the way people communicate via persuasion and sensationalism.  All of us are in search of the truth.

Third, the ultimate truth is still God who is the Author of Truth and who entrusted us to His Son Jesus, as the "way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14, 6).  It would be much better to use the "language of images and sound, imagination and affectivity to invite people to an encounter with the mystery of God's love." "Love, truth, meaning to life - are found only in Jesus ... and we are called to attentive discernment, quoting Elijah who saw the Lord, not in earthquake or fire, but in a still, small voice," the Holy Father Emeritus said.

Finally, a global community is born, a New Church come alive in Social Networking, "to help people to pray with closeness to those who share the faith to those who are distanced from it.  These are direct encounter, experiences of the community and even pilgrimages, until the ends of the earth," is the conclusion set by the Holy Father.

Use media for evangelization! 

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