RMG - "From community to communities": Message of the Holy Father for World Communications Day 2019
Featured

01 October 2018
© Servizio Fotografico - Vatican Media

(ANS - Rome) - The Holy Father announced the theme of the 53rd World Social Communications Day 2019: "'We are members of one another' (Eph 4:25). From community to communities." The Holy Father thus returns on a theme which he has often referred to, and which on the one hand is defined as wealth and "gift of God", but which on the other can become "a place of alienation"

In one of the latest studies on hyper-connected young people, it is claimed that nowadays Internet users tend to aggregate in virtual places, creating their own "social communities" to discuss their ideas and experiences. Distant and unknown people speak in the same place, even if virtual, of the same passion or the same problem. "In these communities we try to break the logic of physical proximity, the public of the contents is no longer determined by territorial or physical proximity".

The theme of the World Day of Social Communications 2019 "underlines the importance of giving back to communication a broad perspective, based on the person, and sets the accent on the value of interaction always intended as dialogue and as an opportunity to meet with others". The emphasis is on the need to make communities places of meeting, proximity and closeness, concepts that can be dispersed in the digital world, if not properly cared for and not used properly.

At the same time, the message requires "a reflection on the current state and nature of Internet relations to start from the idea of community as a network among people in their entirety".

"Some of the prevailing trends in the so-called social web place us in front of a fundamental question: to what extent can we speak of a real community in the face of the logics that characterize some communities in social networks?".

The choice of the theme of the Message of 2019 confirms the attention of Pope Francis for the new communication environments and the need to refer to such  a current issue and of fundamental importance for parents and educators, to provide adequate guidelines.

It is enough to be reminded of some sentences of Pope Francis: "We ask together that social networks do not cancel one's personality, but foster solidarity and respect"; "Let us take advantage of the opportunities for meeting and solidarity offered by social networks"; "Social networks are capable of promoting relations and the well-being of society"; and "The digital world is a meeting place, where you can caress or hurt, where you can have a fruitful debate or arrive at defamation".

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".