On January 24, 2011, the Vatican released Pope Benedict XVI’s message for the 45th World Communications Day (June 5, 2011). In this message, the Holy Father invites “Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible… The web is contributing to the development of new and more complex intellectual and spiritual horizons, new forms of shared awareness.…
Category: Catholic
72 Posts
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Tweeting Live Events
One of the most interesting ways to use Twitter is to tweet during live events or to follow the tweets of others tweeting about the event. A number of live TV and radio programs include comments made on Twitter in their programming because they add the perspectives of their viewers and listeners to their own message. Whether the tweets are in agreement or not doesn’t matter, because they are showing…
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Twitter for Ministry?
When I tell people that I really like Twitter, they sometimes look puzzled. I imagine that they are thinking—Are you crazy? How do you have time to spend on Twitter? I like Twitter because I can get the latest information, quick facts or leads on just about any topic or product that I want anytime I want. I have learned a lot about social media, current events, products, services, and…
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New Forms of Communication for Ministry
On November 13, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the participants in the plenary assembly of The Pontifical Council for Culture in Rome. The theme of the meeting was “Culture of Communication and New Languages.” In the course of his talk, the Holy Father made several references to modern communications. Here is one: “In a world that makes communication its winning strategy, the Church, repository of the mission to communicate to…
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The Bishops on Social Media
On Monday, November 15, 2010, Bishop Ronald Herzog of Alexandria gave a report on integrating social media into ecclesial communications to the U.S. bishops gathered at their annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. The report was another positive sign that more people in responsible positions in the Church recognize the importance of social media for mission. I found a lot of realism in the Bishop’s presentation and would like to draw…
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Social Media Policies for Church Groups
As more and more Church organizations recognize the importance of having a presence on social media; as they experience pressure from members to “get with it;” and as some staff and members already are starting blogs, Facebook pages, etc., and commenting on others’ pages, there is a legitimate concern about protecting the organization’s good name. According to Charlene Li, in her book Open Leadership, the best way to do that…