Last week, in his annual message for the World Day of Communications Pope Benedict XVI bestowed his blessing on Facebook. OK, perhaps to call it a blessing is a bit of a stretch, let’s just say he endorsed it.
From the AP story on the event:
Benedict welcomes as a “gift” new technologies such as social networking sites, saying they respond to the “fundamental desire” of people to communicate.
But he also warns that “obsessive” virtual socializing can isolate people from real interaction and deepen the digital divide by excluding those already marginalized.
In conjunction with the Pope’s announcement, the Vatican launched a YouTube channel – a move that appears to be the start of an online reputation campaign. According to Monsignor Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council of Social Communication, the decision to launch the YouTube channel was made in part because Pope Benedict’s image is already being used on websites, some of which present him respectfully and some of which don’t.
The channel, which will be updated daily, will feature new clips from the Vatican and “presents the Catholic Church’s position regarding the principal issues of the world today.”
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Vatican allows comments on most of their videos, but equally baffled as to why there currently aren’t any. When I attempted to submit a comment on my own, I got a message that it was “Pending Approval.” I am guessing there are many that are in the same boat. Their caution is understandable, nonetheless I am anxious to see whether any comments ever make it live.
Regardless, this move is a huge step for the Vatican and the Catholic Church – an organization not always known for its transparency and willingness to adapt to change.
But, as the Pope says in a video message posted last week:
“When numerous young people search for answers and meaning in their lives, you must find new ways to spread voices and images of hope through the ever-evolving communications system that surrounds our planet.”
Amen to that, says Pepe.