As Fr Maciej Makuła, a member of the Social Communication Sector and main coordinator of the event, explains, this is a quote from Saint John Paul II, contained in the document Rapid Development. The Polish Pope well understood the question of the Christian presence in the media and also paid great attention to adequate preparation of those who work in this field in the Church.
In the wake of John Paul II, Fr Makuła observes in his reflection that online Christians "should continuously improve their skills through specialised studies, courses and workshops", and the need for adequate funding for media activities should not be underestimated, to avoid "Catholic content being marginalised".
If the new technologies are "inter mirifica" – that is, "among the wonderful things" – that God has made available to humanity to derive countless beneficial uses from them, the new technologies should not be feared but rather used with confidence and a spirit of initiative, in an attitude of active response to the first and true protagonist of every work of evangelisation, the Holy Spirit.
The first thing to understand is that technology has always been part of human progress. From the invention of the wheel to the discovery of electricity, humanity has always pursued further discoveries. The internet and social media are a next step in this evolution. And if the social changes introduced by the new technologies are before everyone's eyes, in the Church the new technologies can be used to reach a greater number of people, through evangelisation, education, spiritual support or charity.
Therefore, in the Church, in the field of social communication, there is an increasing need for clear leaders who help "not to be afraid" of new technologies. Lack of proper communication can not only indicate a lack of competence, but also lead in the wrong direction.
To further explore the subject, you can download and consult the text specially prepared by Fr Makuła, available in three languages – Italian, English and Spanish – at the bottom of the page.
"We invite you to participate in the communication conference that will be held from 1 to 7 August 2024 in Rome" is the exhortation that comes from the Social Communication Sector.
In view of the Conference, the Facebook page and Instagram profile of "Shaping Tomorrow" are already active.
