“Communication is a means of expressing the missionary vocation of the entire Church; today the social networks are one way to experience this call to discover the beauty of faith, the beauty of encountering Christ. In the area of communications too, we need a Church capable of bringing warmth and of stirring hearts” – Pope Francis
The digital parish has well and truly emerged as part of our faith life, enabling us to evangelise in online spaces for prayer and worship. With every new technology and practice comes a time of trial and error. Guidelines and technical assistance are important in this regard. At all times we must be sensitive to the church building as a sacred place, dedicated to Divine worship and blessed for this purpose. Any behaviour which is discordant with the sanctity of the Church or which might cause hurt and scandal to the faithful is inappropriate and should be avoided.
The Guidelines and Principles in this section should assist you when preparing plans for putting out into the deep of the net. For specific information on live streaming, social media please click on to our Quick Links menu on www.catholicbishops.ie/digitalhub.
10 Principles to guide our presence on the digital highways – Archbishop Eamon Martin
Pope Francis on pros and cons of social media use [2019]
Church documents on communications and digital media
Apostolic Letter – The Rapid Development [2005]
The Church and Internet [2002]
Ethics in Internet [2002]
Ethics in Communications [2000]
Ethics in Advertising [1997]
Pastoral Instruction Aetatis Novae [23 February 1992]
Pastoral Instruction Communio et Progressio [23 May 1971]
Inter mirifica – Decree on Social Communications [4 December 1963]
