THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THEORY - PRACTICE - PERSPECTIVES

The great popularity and extraordinary possibilities the Internet offers people in the field of information and communication, have made the Internet the subject of the Church's in-depth reflection as an important tool in broadly understood pastoral activities. This article contains a discussio...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal for the study of religions and ideologies Vol. 23; no. 67; pp. 44 - 58
Main Authors Wyrostkiewicz, Michal, Petro, Marek, Wcisel, Wojciech, Rebizant, Grzegorz
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cluj The Academic Society for the Research of Religions and Ideologies (SACRI) 22.03.2024
SACRI The Academic Society for the Research of Religions and Ideologies
Subjects
Analysis
Catholic churches
Christianity
Communication
Communications technology
Councils
Electronic discussion groups
Information technology
Internet
Interpersonal relations
Popes
Theology
Poland
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The great popularity and extraordinary possibilities the Internet offers people in the field of information and communication, have made the Internet the subject of the Church's in-depth reflection as an important tool in broadly understood pastoral activities. This article contains a discussion of the effects of this observation and demonstrates how the Church uses the Internet and all Information and Communications Technology. Finally, we will indicate the positive aspects and difficulties facing the Church now operating in the Digital Age. Research clearly shows that the modern Church must use the Internet if it wants to meet people, be close to them and reach them with information. The Church must so consciously and skillfully - taking into account anthropological conditions and the nature of media, including theological premises. An important conclusion emerging from the research is a decisive "no!" concerning various forms of e-Church. The Church's opening up to ICT does not mean consent to transferring its activities onto the Internet. Ecclesiastical relationships are always interpersonal relationships: human-human and Divine-human. The Church - even a synodal one - is a community of persons, not an online discussion group or followers of the Pope, bishop, other pastor or influencer identifying with the Church. Keywords: Church, pastoral ministry, Internet, Information and Communications Technology, Media, Digital Age
ISSN:1583-0039
1583-0039