Influencer Jubilee, engage with the depth of online inquiries rather than succumbing to shallow discourse
The Church is embarking on a new chapter in its mission, leveraging digital platforms to spread the Gospel in the modern age. This approach, emphasized by various Church leaders, prioritizes authentic, relational engagement over mere performance or commodification of faith.
In a recent address, Monsignor Fisichella warned against judging the present based on nostalgia for the past. He highlighted the importance of embracing new technologies creatively, using them as tools for mission rather than treating digital engagement as a commodity or a mere broadcast channel.
Two round tables are planned for the Jubilee: one on digital mission and another on "God's holy influencers". The Consecration of the Digital Mission will take place in the Vatican Gardens, a symbolic moment in which projects will be entrusted to Mary, seen as “God’s Influencer”.
The Church's approach to digital evangelization is rooted in prayer, humility, and mission. This means consecrating the digital mission to Mary, emphasizing love, discernment, and service over branding or commodification.
Monsignor Fisichella also stressed the value of silence for authentic listening. He echoed Pope Paul VI's sentiment that the world listens more to witnesses than teachers. Authentic evangelization requires a relational vision of the person, prioritizing authentic encounters over mere speeches, and truth over what is pleasing.
Cardinal Parolin emphasized the need to renew the digital environment. He opened the Jubilee of digital missionaries and Catholic influencers, held in Rome on July 28 at the Auditorium Conciliazione, by discussing the purposes and objectives of social media, emphasizing that the digital world can become a communicator of faith.
Spadaro, in his address, stated that the digital world needs witnesses more than technicians. He encouraged digital missionaries to be a fire that warms, illuminates, and accompanies. Ruiz, in expressing gratitude for the tenderness and presence of the Church as a mother, defined the generosity of the present as "tremendous".
The invitation of Christ still resonates today: "Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature." This call to evangelize extends to the digital realm, a responsibility for all, not just those who master digital tools. The Church's goal in the digital world is not the production of content, but the encounter with people.
In sum, the Church is using digital platforms as tools for mission to invite people into deeper, lived relationships with Christ and community. Technologies like virtual reality and network platforms can be creatively employed to awaken spiritual curiosity and complement embodied church life, always keeping human dignity and relationality central.
Social-media platforms can be creatively utilized by the Church as a means to engage with people and spread the Gospel in the digital age, emphasizing relational encounters over broadcasting or commodification. In the digital world, the Church seeks not just content production, but encouraging spiritual curiosity and fostering deeper, lived relationships with Christ and community.
