Pope Benedict XVI to Christian bloggers: proclaim the truth undiluted and do so as real and loving human beings

Yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI published the his message for the Church's 45th World Communications Day, called "Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age." The Pope's message offers some pertinent reflections on what he terms "a phenomenon characteristic of our age: the emergence of the internet as a network for communication." Recognising that the revolution in social communications is akin to the transforming nature of the Industrial Revolution, the Holy Father seeks to promote the benefits of the new media, but also warns of its dangers. After inviting all Christians to be present as witnesses to the Gospel on the internet, Pope Benedict XVI goes on to offer advice on how to go about doing this.

Of course, it is always best to read Papal documents in full, so I encourage you all to read "Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age." But, I would like to draw your attention to a few ideas formulated in this message by the Holy Father. In some ways, his message offers little that is new - for Pope Benedict XVI has already made it clear that he views the internet as an important aspect of modern life and a radically essential means of communicating the Gospel. He has also warned of the dangers inherent in the social media - dangers alluded to by Archbishop Vincent Nichols when he spoke of the "transient relationships" encouraged by sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

The internet - essential, radical, yet prone to inauthenticity

Pope Benedict XVI highlights the fact that the field of communications has radically changed in the past few years - as social networking sites and the blogosphere transform the way we transmit information and knowledge. It is an irony that as the internet fosters impersonal virtual realities, it has also led to a more personal way of sharing ideas. The Holy Father warns, though, that there are limits to this aspect of the digital media, namely: "the one-sidedness of the interaction, the tendency to communicate only some parts of one’s interior world, the risk of constructing a false image of oneself, which can become a form of self-indulgence." It is precisely these limits - of not being authentically human and of absence from the real world - that led to the creation of a the Guild of Bl Titus Brandsma, which aims to bring bloggers together so that we can meet face-to-face and pray together "under one roof" so to speak. It is true that the blogosphere can be an inauthentic place - where anger is encouraged, masks can be created and the other commentator's humanity is somehow abrogated.

The Pope also speaks of the fact that "the new technologies allow people to meet each other beyond the confines of space and of their own culture, creating in this way an entirely new world of potential friendships." Of course, he recognises that this exciting development can led to murkier dangers - possibly when the vulnerable young people and children form friendships with adults masquerading as other youngsters, usually for criminal or immoral purposes. The internet also poses new challenges to those of us who ask "who is my neighbour?" First of all, are the people we are communicating with "real" in the first place or are they "false images" created by a damaged person? Secondly, now that it is easier to communicate with unknown people on the other side of the world than one's next-door neighbour, how to we care for and love our online or virtual neighbours?

Christians must be online witnesses - even if God's truth is unpopular

The Holy Father emphasises that as the new media and forms of social networking encourage the exchange of ideas, hopes, values, and concerns then a Christian presence is essential. He writes that "it follows that there exists a Christian way of being present in the digital world: this takes the form of a communication which is honest and open, responsible and respectful of others." He goes on to say that, "To proclaim the Gospel through the new media means not only to insert expressly religious content into different media platforms, but also to witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgements that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifically."

One of the most important ways that Catholics can witness to their faith on the internet, according to Benedict XVI, is as upholders of the truth. This commitment to stick by the truth, which sets all men free, "does not derive its worth from its 'popularity' or from the amount of attention it receives." The Holy Father fears that in an attempt to be popular young people might try and make the truth "acceptable", usually by "diluting it." Of course, as useful as the internet might be in helping Christians to spread the Word and hand on the Faith, Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that "the Gospel demands to be incarnated in the real world and linked to the real faces of our brothers and sisters, those with whom we share our daily lives. Direct human relations always remain fundamental for the transmission of the faith!"

The Pope then goes on to invite all people, and especially young people, "to proclaim our faith that Christ is God, the Saviour of humanity and of history, the one in whom all things find their fulfilment (cf Eph 1:10)" whilst using the internet, whilst blogging and whilst present on social networking sites. Those of us who announce the Gospel on the internet must do so in a way that "is at once respectful and sensitive, which stimulates the heart and moves the conscience; one which reflects the example of the risen Jesus when he joined the disciples on the way to Emmaus (cf Lk 24:13-35)." Just as Our Lord gently drew forth the truth from the hearts of his disciples when he spoke with them on the road to Emmaus, so should Christians use the internet as a means of journeying with the world - gently leading it to the realisation that Christ is Risen!

We have many gifts to be grateful for as Catholics - the ministry of the wise Pope Benedict XVI is definitely one of them! He understands perfectly the way our modern world is developing, and seems to take a great interest in the revolution currently taking place in the world of communication. In that sense then, and knowing how imperative it is not to be left behind in the print-room, our Holy Father is perfectly suited to lead the New Evangelisation of Europe and the World!