Priests using social media - how do you feel?

[Gwendolyn]

Hi everyone,

I have a friend I have known for 14 years, and he was ordained a priest a couple years ago. Since his ordination, he has been very active on social media, but he always keeps it appropriate. He writes blog posts relating to evangelisation and living a Christian life while facing the challenges of today's world. He also uses Facebook to post regular reflections on the same, plus brief thoughts relating to Scripture. Sometimes he posts news articles about what is going on in the greater Catholic world and comments on misrepresentations of the faith in the media.

For me, personally, his ministry has been extremely beneficial. This priest and I share the same passion for orthodoxy and catechesis, so I always look forward to his posts with the hope that I will learn something new or deepen my understanding of the Faith. His Facebook posts kept me connected to the faith even when I had wandered far away, and the same posts also helped bring me back.

Sadly, someone has taken issue with his use of social media and complained to the bishop. This priest will now have to go before the bishop and either face reprimand and a social media ban, or he will be cautioned but permitted to continue with, perhaps, stricter guidelines on social media usage.

One of the reasons I suspect is that people often debated on his facebook updates, though the priest himself did not get involved. And, uhh... I often participated because I wanted to get others' opinions on something, or because I was trying to better understand. I fear this contributed to the complaint made against the priest.

SO ANYWAY... I'm wondering what you think about priests using social media in this manner. Do you think it can be a good thing? Do you think it can be beneficial? Or do you fear it might do more harm than good?

Do you think priests should use social media at all? Should it be mainly only in an official capacity (announcing events, holy holidays, days of obligation, posting messages from the bishop/pope)? Do you think it would be acceptable for a priest to offer his own reflections and homilies relating to scripture?

Curious to hear your thoughts!

 

[GoingByzantine]

Why would he be reprimanded by the bishop for using social media, when even the Pope and Vatican have their own social media accounts? Its ridiculous.

 

[AMDG]

I see nothing wrong with a priest using social media. If I'm not mistaken both the late Pope John Paul II and Pope emeritus Benedict XVI did.

 

[Gwendolyn]

Yep! The popes definitely use social media now, which I think is wise.

In my diocese though, priests don't use it at all. Parishes have basic websites and the diocese has one, too, but in terms to interaction with priests via social media, it just doesn't happen here. Perhaps that is why this issue is so controversial in my diocese.

 

[Fantine]

In our diocese priests and deacons were told not to ride motorcycles (that being considered too dangerous a hobby when priests are in scarce supply.)

One priest who used to cut CD's and hold concerts was also told to stop because it took time away from his ministry.

But I haven't heard any priests prohibited from using social media.

I understood the motorcycle concerns, but composing and performing music is the attempt of the soul to communicate and to express itself.

To a creative person, self-expression is as necessary as breathing.

I'm sure he still writes and composes--perhaps saving it all up until we get a new bishop someday.

 

[sonshine234]

I think it's fine if Priest use social media.

 

[Rhamiel]

St. Francis De Sales was a young priest in Switzerland
he was sent to Chablis France to convert the Calvinists there back to the true Faith
but Calvinism had set in deep roots and the people had hardened their hearts, they would not even listen to him preach
so he wrote up pamphlets and religious tracks, nailed them up in the town center
put them under the doors to peoples homes
in three years time, 75,000 Calvinists had converted to the Catholic faith.

so yeah, priests using "social media" is a good thing

 

[Andres88]

As long as he's being faithful to the Church's teachings, and especially if by using the social media he's feeding hungry souls, there should be no problem with it: no matter how hyper-traditional the critics.

Someone complained to the archbishop because my pastor uses an iPad to say the announcements at the end of Mass. I was like... "really? Can people be this hyper-traditional?" Thank God the archbishop didn't say reprimand my pastor because of that: he's very conscious on how we can use technology for the benefit and comfort of the people, as long as it does not constitute any liturgical abuse.

 

[Dylan Michael]

In our diocese priests and deacons were told not to ride motorcycles (that being considered too dangerous a hobby when priests are in scarce supply.)

I find this funny because This guy:

the Archbishop of Miami, rides a motorcycle. He even does a yearly charity with it.

 

[Dylan Michael]

I have several priests on my facebook.
Most use it for evangelization. (Posting Bulletin articles, homilies, et c.)

In fact, I think it provides a convenient way to contact them. I know I have several times.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Hi everyone,

I have a friend I have known for 14 years, and he was ordained a priest a couple years ago. Since his ordination, he has been very active on social media, but he always keeps it appropriate. He writes blog posts relating to evangelisation and living a Christian life while facing the challenges of today's world. He also uses Facebook to post regular reflections on the same, plus brief thoughts relating to Scripture. Sometimes he posts news articles about what is going on in the greater Catholic world and comments on misrepresentations of the faith in the media.

For me, personally, his ministry has been extremely beneficial. This priest and I share the same passion for orthodoxy and catechesis, so I always look forward to his posts with the hope that I will learn something new or deepen my understanding of the Faith. His Facebook posts kept me connected to the faith even when I had wandered far away, and the same posts also helped bring me back.

Sadly, someone has taken issue with his use of social media and complained to the bishop. This priest will now have to go before the bishop and either face reprimand and a social media ban, or he will be cautioned but permitted to continue with, perhaps, stricter guidelines on social media usage.

One of the reasons I suspect is that people often debated on his facebook updates, though the priest himself did not get involved. And, uhh... I often participated because I wanted to get others' opinions on something, or because I was trying to better understand. I fear this contributed to the complaint made against the priest.

SO ANYWAY... I'm wondering what you think about priests using social media in this manner. Do you think it can be a good thing? Do you think it can be beneficial? Or do you fear it might do more harm than good?

Do you think priests should use social media at all? Should it be mainly only in an official capacity (announcing events, holy holidays, days of obligation, posting messages from the bishop/pope)? Do you think it would be acceptable for a priest to offer his own reflections and homilies relating to scripture?

Curious to hear your thoughts!

Call the Bishop and let him know it has greatly helped your faith.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Yep! The popes definitely use social media now, which I think is wise.

In my diocese though, priests don't use it at all. Parishes have basic websites and the diocese has one, too, but in terms to interaction with priests via social media, it just doesn't happen here. Perhaps that is why this issue is so controversial in my diocese.

It reaches more pl - world wide even.

I like the clergy to be visible.

 

[Jimmy P]

I think it's great...plus, you can usually message the person, so that way, you have a question, get 1 on 1 attention...

Especially nice for people that can't get out for some reason, or bed ridden...

 

[Michie]

Sounds like he was using it appropriately according to his vocation. The commentary might have gotten him in trouble. Most clerics I know keep a tight rein on the commentary & maybe he didn't. It sounds a bit extreme for him to be called before the Bishop though.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Priests using Twitter? Not a good idea.

Father O'Malley: "Beyoncé's butt looked too big in those pants, and those pumps? Dreadful!"

 

[Andres88]

Priests using Twitter? Not a good idea.

I don't think it's not a good idea. Now, if a priest uses it to express the wrong things, the problem is never the media, but the priest's behavior. From what I have observed, the greatest challenge in Church does not come from a doctrinal or Theological approach, but from a pastoral one.

I have been greatly blessed by following the Twitter accounts of a lot of priests who (mostly) belong to the Legion of Christ. They have been an extraordinary encouragement in the lives of a lot of youth, especially some who are in a serious discernment process regarding their life vocation.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Why must it always be the Irish priests...? Hmmm? lol

 

[AvilaSurfer]

I have heard that if Paul were alive today, he'd be all over Facebook and Twitter, as well as TV and radio.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

You did read my post and note that it was purely silly and not to be taken seriously, right? I'm FINE with priests in social media. I welcome it. I was joking around. Just read it in American sarcastic silly context!

I don't think it's not a good idea. Now, if a priest uses it to express the wrong things, the problem is never the media, but the priest's behavior. From what I have observed, the greatest challenge in Church does not come from a doctrinal or Theological approach, but from a pastoral one.

I have been greatly blessed by following the Twitter accounts of a lot of priests who (mostly) belong to the Legion of Christ. They have been an extraordinary encouragement in the lives of a lot of youth, especially some who are in a serious discernment process regarding their life vocation.

 

[Michie]

I have heard that if Paul were alive today, he'd be all over Facebook and Twitter, as well as TV and radio.

He'd be in trouble too!