Technology no substitute for Christian witnessing: Mgr. Graham Bell
October 23, 2012: "Social communications in general are very important for
the Church today and they present a great challenge, not least because they are evolving
so quickly. Young people especially are very much attracted to the new forms of social
media (for example Twitter, Facebook and so on), so it is important that the Church
have a presence in these media, said Monsignor Graham Bell, the Under Secretary of
the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation, while speaking to Vatican Radio.
Presently the 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for
the New Evangelisation is underway in Vatican. When asked about how challenging
the area of media and communications is in this day and age, given the speed and the
effectiveness of the technology today, he said: If the Church is to be faithful
to her mission to announce Jesus Christ universally, she has to acquire an expertise
in the new forms of social media and in the special forms of language which characterise
them.
However, Monsignor Graham Bell cautioned saying, ‘we have to be prudent.
We would be foolish to think that computers and communications systems are capable
of converting people. It is God's grace and the preaching of His Word which convert
people to Christ or strengthen them in their faith.’
Technology is no substitute
for living Christian communities giving vibrant witness to Christ in the living out
our of faith, hope and charity", he added.