 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 some counsels for "thinking with the Church". His good
example can help develop in us an outlook which thinks with the Church,
so that we Catholics can obey the authority of the Church in matters
relating to orthodox thinking and ethical standards of acting.
This article will mention Church documents to help Catholics
on the Net follow ethical guidelines and norms in the use of the
internet. The documents mentioned below can guide any Catholic individual or
family 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 listed give a wider context so that
those who specifically use the internet can also learn and
understand what the Church says in general about 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 those means of
communications which can reach and influence not merely individuals
but the very masses and even the whole of human society. The Church
teaches in this document that if these means of social communications
are used properly, they can contribute greatly to the enrichment of
minds and the propagation and consolidation of God's kingdom. The
Church also teaches through this document how not to misuse these
means in a way contrary to God's design and damaging to humanity.
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 also help Catholics
understand more deeply the contribution which media can make
to modern society in from various 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
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 #43 World Communications
Day Messages that are indexed in the Vatican web site.
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 wish to find 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
web site and its network of blogs for content
that speaks on how
Catholics can use the internet for proclaiming the gospel and promote and culture of
peace and goodwill.
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Dennis Emmanuel Cabrera
Web Developer Methods for Catholics
www.c-web-developer.net
My Main Catholic Blog
www.c-internet-mission.net
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