Our Father Who Art in YouTube?
Pope Benedict XVI is the first Pope with his own YouTube channel. Also with a presence on Facebook, the well connected Holy Father is promoting the use of social media to connect with parishioners.
Why shouldn’t he? With millions of followers world wide spreading the gospel outside the confines of the chapel walls is the name of Christianity.
Keeping up with the younger generation and getting the message out to the people is the purpose of the using the power of social media. Some diocese, however, have put restrictions on some of the social media use. In Orlando, for example, blogging is prohibited. After months of debate, blogging was nixed as it is seen as an opportunity to comment on the message provided. The spokeswoman for the Orlando diocese, Carole Brinati, outlines that using social media is not intended to spark a debate or discussion and blogging is an invitation for opinion and opposing points of view.
Facebook is seen as a better platform for the Catholic Church as it is built on a network of approved “friends”. Inappropriate, offensive and rude comments are more likely to appear on blog sites then they are on Facebook. Not to be replaced by face to face interaction social media is another way to get a message out to a like minded group of people.
