CATHOLICS must conquer the bots and algorithms of social media to connect to fellow believers and evangelize others, speakers said during the 8th Catholic Social Media Summit (CSMS) last Nov. 16 at the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong.
Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, director of the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said the most important element of connectivity is diversity, and the enemy of connectivity is intolerance.
“To be able to deliver content, we have to see the diversity of platforms and to be able to go through diversity, we need to conquer algorithms. [C]onnectivity in Christianity is the diversity of demographics,” Quitorio said.
Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, chairman of the CBCP Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media, said connection leads to “compassionate communion.”
“If you really want to connect, you must always hold on and communicate the core message of God which is His saving love. [T]his core message must reverberate as we connect to people in the digital world,” Vergara said in his homily during Mass for the CSMS delegates.
“[O]ur social network community should lead us to an existential community. [I]t should move beyond whatever gadget to show our humanity and Christianity to others,” the prelate added.
The Pasig bishop also said the faithful must continue to think of “new and creative strategies” to spread God’s message to everyone.
YouthPinoy President Michael Laxina said Catholics must bridge the generation gap to build connections among members of society.
Texas-based Richy Orozco, founder and chief executive officer of the Catholic Connect social networking app, said social media has allowed church groups and parishes to collaborate.
“As a Church, we rely too much on secular media for almost everything. Through the application [Catholic Connect], the religious community can evangelize by posting things related to their parish or groups,” Orozco said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
Orozco also said the Catholic community needs a platform to have an “efficient way” of evangelization.
The theme of CSMS 8 is “Connect,” which was anchored on the biblical verse: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
CSMS was organized by YouthPinoy in collaboration with Areopagus Communications Inc. and CBCP Media Office. It aims to educate Catholics in using technological advancements for evangelization. The conference was followed by awarding rites for winners of the annual Catholic Social Media Awards. Ma. Alena O. Castillo
