 The Net of the Fishermen: "Thinking with the Church" in the
Use of the Internet
"Thinking with the Church"
One of St. Ignatius of Loyola's contributions to the Church in a set
of rules and counsels for "thinking with the Church". His good
example can create an obedient attitude which thinks with the Church,
in matters relating also to the use of the Internet as a social
communications medium for sharing the faith. There are certain
documents that can act as guidelines for Catholics on the Net so that
the use of the internet will be according to the norms set by the
Church. There are many documents of the Church on the use of the
internet, but there are specific documents that mention phrases
that give a positive impact for evangelization - phrases like
"to proclaim the gospel on the Net" and "to promote a culture
of respect, dialogue and friendship in the new digital continent".
The first two documents give basic information
on the broader field of media and social communications: the press,
films, radio, television, and the theatre. The last three documents
are more specific to the internet and are fairly recent.
Vatican Council II, Decree on the Means of Social Communications,
December 4, 1963. This document is concerned with means of
communications with a reach and influence that extend not only
to individuals but the whole of human society, most especially
the masses. The Church teaches how to use these means of social
communications properly, and how they can contribute greatly to
the enrichment of human thinking and the propagation and consolidation
of God's kingdom on earth. The Church teaches through this document
how not to misuse these means in a way contrary to God's design.
Another document related to Inter Mirifica is the Pastoral
Instruction on the Means of Social Communication (Communio et
Progressio, January 29, 1971). This document sees the social
communications media as "gifts of God". It mentions other documents in
Vatican Council II which help Catholics understand more deeply the
contribution which media can make to modern society from
different perspectives:
- Constitution of the Church in the World Today
- Decree on Ecumenism
- Declaration on Religious Freedom
- Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church
- Decree on the Pastoral Duties of Bishops
[2] World Communications Day Messages
The World Communications Day Messages started in the pontificate of Pope Paul
VI and continues to this present time through the pontificate of Pope Benedict
XVI. These Messages are apostolic letters written every year with a theme
relevant for the time. Below are three links to the World Communications
Day Messages that are indexed in the Vatican web site.
Pope Benedict XVI also has two new Messages for the year 2010 and 2011. The year 2010 has
a Message specifically for the clergy to be involved in online evangelization. The year 2011
has a Message which stresses truth as an important element in the use of the internet.
Pontifical Council for Social Communications, February 22, 2002. Important in this document is the
chapter on "Recommendations and Conclusions". The chapter offers words of encouragement to Church
leaders, pastoral personnel, educators, parents, and especially young people. It also teaches
the importance of the virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, so that all
sectors of Church and society will make good use of the Internet.
Pontifical Council for Social Communications, February 22, 2002. One significant chapter in this
document is the chapter on "Some Areas of Concern". It mentions the danger of increasing the
gap between the 'information rich' and the 'information poor'. Another concern
is the danger of cultural domination - when a dominant culture includes in its use of media
some false values that are detrimental to the true good of individuals and groups. In view
of these two concerns and many more others, the Church invites leaders of media to make
the internet accessible to less advantaged groups, and to promote a cultural sensitivity
and respect for other people's values and beliefs.
Apostolic Letter of John Paul II, January 24, 2005. One striking chapter in this document
is the chapter entitled "To Communicate With the Power of the Holy Spirit". In his
"be not afraid" message which stamps his pontificate since the beginning, John Paul II again
encourages those working in the social communications medium of the internet not to be afraid
of: new technologies, of being opposed by the world, and of human weakness and inadequacy.
As a word of encouragement, he quotes Jesus in saying "I am with you always, until the
end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).
More information
If you need more information on Church and Internet matters, you can make
a search with the keyword "internet" at the Vatican
web site.
You can also search this
site and its network of blogs for ideas
on writing content about the use of the internet in the context of Catholic blogging
and writing Catholic articles in a small web site.
Visit, search, or subscribe to the updates of this network
Get ideas and updates on basic and small Catholic web site
development, blogging, social networking, and web applications from:
- Friendfeed: Provides content ideas from
Catholic news and technology updates
- Network feed:
Discover ideas on blogging, web site development, social networking, and web applications
- A post at Catholic Internet Mission
blog periodically summarizes all the articles and content in the Network feed.
To visit, search or subscribe to the blog, click
here
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Search Network: Search the network for ideas to write Catholic articles and
to post to blogs.
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