November 13, 2012. (Romereports.com) About 34% of the world's population uses the Internet. So, writing about God on social networking sites is a very powerful tool for the New Evangelization. Social media expert, José Luis Orihuela, says that it's not enough to just be on the web.
To truly be a successful communicator in today's world, the Church needs to reach out to society through social media. It's something large institutions already do. On Facebook and Twitter, one can exchange ideas and information all over the world, in a matter of seconds.
JOSÉ LUIS ORIHUELA
University of Navarre (Spain)
“It's a combination of the power of print, the power of radio and television for a universal audience. It's also about personal power because we have the tools in our pockets. They are powerful tools, not magical, but they do allow all types of communication and that includes writing about God.”
To actually put these ideas into action, some of his books titled 'World Twitter and 'The Blog Revolution' list a few tips. Orihuela believes that the Vatican and Catholic institutions should have a department responsible for promoting its social networks. Usually that job is given to one person, but he says, it needs to be a shared responsibility.
JOSÉ LUIS ORIHUELA
University of Navarra (Spain)
“Connecting audiences through social networks has to be complete. It needs to include an entire organization, not just one person. So I think that should be the next transition. Those within an organization, have to accept the idea that everyone must communicate, they must take care of their brand and they must serve our public.”
The Church is catching on and the proof is both on Twitter and Facebook. Now it's not just ordinary Catholics who are on social networking sites. Episcopal conferences are promoting their presence (@ iglesiamexico, @ PrensaCEA) with an official profile. There's also cardinals (@ CardinalDolan, @ CardinalSean), bishops (@ domoranijoao, @ ObispoMunilla), religious congregations and movements (@ Dominican_Order, @ Focolare_org) that are taking another step towards the digital world.
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