Why has the Social Communication Sector published this Letter "Walking with young people in digital culture"?
We are experiencing a revolution in the world of communication and nothing will ever be the same again. We Salesians are called to give an answer to the momentous questions that this enormous change entails. Technology changes, but Christian values remain unchanged. The Letter reaffirms these values, which are for us an essential reference point for the education of young people. In this evolving context, it is important for us to interpret the digital reality, starting from a Salesian perspective.
The Letter stems from a question: "How can we live and transmit Don Bosco and his charism in the digital world, without losing our soul?" So, how can we do it?
Our goal is to always keep up with the times. Together with the laity, we want to be interpreters of the contemporary world: listen to the new generations; accompany young people in their social worlds; find new languages and new methods to educate them about love, the meaning of life and personal and social responsibility, and the construction of their life project, starting from the values of the Gospel and the Preventive System. That is, communicating and evangelising. Communicate and educate.
The Letter says that we must ensure that “online space is not only safe, but also spiritually life-giving”. How to do it?
The digital environment is not a fad for us. It is an opportunity to communicate with young people in their habitat. In this environment, girls and boys bring their dreams, their stories, their challenges and their creativity. Not only that. They seek answers to questions crucial to their lives. That is why it is essential to establish a dialogue with them. To be recognised as a point of reference. This means understanding their language, accompanying them on their journey, indicating values without making them feel judged. Through this presence with them, a shared and life-giving journey is born.
If we want to have an impact on the lives of young people, we need to train digital apostles and missionaries. Do you think the Salesians have formed them enough?
To answer this question, we must consider the recommendations of the Church, which has always taken up the great challenges of the contemporary world. In fact, it invites us to deepen the anthropological and ethical dimension of the digital world. The Final Document of the Synod of Bishops on Young People, "Young people, faith and vocational discernment" states that "The digital environment presents a challenge to the Church on various levels; it is essential, therefore, to deepen knowledge of its dynamics and its range of possibilities from the anthropological and ethical point of view." (no. 145).
Recently, the Document of the First Session of the Sixteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops stated that "we cannot evangelise digital culture without first understanding it" (no. 17, d). With the help of theologians and educators, it is important to understand and encourage the experiences we have already acquired in this field.
Education and evangelisation are the two pillars of the Salesian mission. What efforts is the Congregation making to evangelise the digital environment?
The Salesian Congregation has created a movement of communicators who continuously follow digital evolution. We have activated an interdisciplinary reflection, making use of the experience of researchers from our universities. In addition, the communication sector - together with those of Youth Ministry, Formation, Mission and Economy - has developed a solid program of formation meetings and events to understand and manage this phenomenon in an intelligent and creative way. In this process, young people are always protagonists, through video productions, films, music, dance and every form of art.
The Synod report states that it is important to create networks of influencers that include people of other religions, or even those who do not profess any faith, but who wish to collaborate on common causes to promote human dignity, justice and care for our Common Home. What do you think?
The mission of the Church and the Congregation is evangelisation that starts from interculturality. It is advisable to maintain a lively conversation, respecting the different points of view. Working with people of other religions, or away from a religious approach, is very important to us. Together we can make the leaven of life, of love, of the spirit of solidarity that is in every person grow. You don't win on your own. We are a great movement of people who act in different cultures and continents, at the service of young people, especially the poorest. Only in this way can we care for the Common Home and build peace. As a communicator, we are always educators of young people.
You said that, if Don Bosco had been here today, he would have been a digital explorer and would have immediately dedicated himself to digital media to communicate and reach young people. What would he do?
Don Bosco said that Salesians must "walk with the times", "love the things that young people love". This means being where the young people are, being by their side. Don Bosco was at the forefront, and I imagine he would like to be even today. He would not have an attitude of rejection towards digital matters, but one of listening to the demands, opportunities and dangers that arise in it.
How to prepare Salesians for the digital future?
Today we are immersed in the digital revolution and Artificial Intelligence. In a context of change, it is always important to start from our identity as Salesians consecrated to work with young people. The theme of General Chapter 29 is “Passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to young people. Living our Salesian vocation faithfully and prophetically.“ We must be faithful to our vocation and bear witness to our love for Christ and the poorest young people.
We must ensure educational and technological competence, to maintain a healthy emotional and spiritual life. In addition, it is important to cultivate a critical spirit towards the digital environment, to understand its mechanisms and power games. Our mission is to humanise the digital environment, starting from the values of the gospel, always making sure that young people are the protagonists of this process and do not suffer it.
Despite all the technological innovations, what is the importance of fraternal communion in communication?
In the Digital Letter it was pointed out that the basis of Christian communication is in the gospel. Communicating from the gospel means affirming the values of fraternity, mercy, compassion, charity and solidarity towards the poorest. Even in digital communication, our message is rooted in the experiences we live every day through our works, which are at the service of others.
In conclusion, taking up a question posed at the beginning of the Letter: how can we continue to be communicators, faithful to Don Bosco and his charism, in a changing world?
In my opinion, it is important for us to continue living and witnessing to the Salesian charism worldwide. Young people are the great gift that God offers us. Being among them, listening to them, walking alongside them, as Don Bosco taught us, is the best way not to lose contact with them. Don Bosco has always affirmed that there is always a project for each of us: to live with joy and generosity the life that God has given us. This is the heart of true communication!
