(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.
OFL @ odelafu /KLH
AA
GdP
- PR
