The Internet is a Resource for Our Time
“Ever since the internet first became available, the Church has always sought to promote its use in the service of the encounter between persons, and of solidarity among all.” With this line, Pope Francis introduces his message for the 53rd Annual World Communications Day. This year’s theme is We are members one of another» (Eph 4,25). From social network communities to the human community.
Pope Frances while acknowledging that “The Net is a resource of our time,” also notes it has often been a source of “disinformation,” and has been used by some to distort facts or disrupt interpersonal relationships. Even so, he urges us to use these current communications to bring people together in a positive way.
The Pope uses three metaphors to address his theme:
1.The net
.. it may be useful to reflect again on the metaphor of the net, which was the basis of the Internet to begin with, to rediscover its positive potential. The image of the net invites us to reflect on the multiplicity of lines and intersections that ensure its stability in the absence of a center, a hierarchical structure, a form of vertical organization. The net works because all its elements share responsibility.
This is a good metaphor, but the structure that a net offers in this context is not enough to satisfy the human desire for relationship. The next metaphor gets closer.
2. The community
A community is that much stronger if it is cohesive and supportive, if it is animated by feelings of trust, and pursues common objectives. The community as a network of solidarity requires mutual listening and dialogue, based on the responsible use of language.
The Pope comments that social networking communities do not always rise to the level of community described here. They are often collections of individuals who are not necessarily in relationship with each other. That leads to his third and final metaphor.
3.The body and the members
With this metaphor, the Pope describes the value of being “members with one another” both in person and online. He suggests that if we use social networking in that way, we will be fulfilling its best purpose.
The image of the body and the members reminds us that the use of the social web is complementary to an encounter in the flesh that comes alive through the body, heart, eyes, gaze, breath of the other. If the Net is used as an extension or expectation of such an encounter, then the network concept is not betrayed and remains a resource for communion. If a family uses the Net to be more connected, to then meet at table and look into each other’s eyes, then it is a resource. If a Church community coordinates its activity through the network, and then celebrates the Eucharist together, then it is a resource. If the Net becomes an opportunity to share stories and experiences of beauty or suffering that are physically distant from us, in order to pray together and together seek out the good to rediscover what unites us, then it is a resource.
This year’s World Communications Day message is honest and hopeful about our use of social media. It is realistic about the challenges, but optimistic about its potential for good. It is four pages worth reading. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/53WCDM.
Your comments are always welcome.
FYI: World Communications Day is usually celebrated in May or June, on the Sunday before Pentecost which this year is June 2—but I can’t confirm that date yet.