The combination of images and sound is a vital element of the digital world. As such, the digital world should not be too strange to the Church, since the latter is already rich in the use of signs and symbols. This is evident from the Cross, icons, images, stained glass windows, stories of saints, pictures in our churches and the various hymns and prayers. The Church has for ages used these forms to convey the truth of faith. What needs to be done is to translate these to the language suitable for the new “agora”, the new “marketplace” the social network, so that Christ and His message will be presented to the modern man. The true modern disciples are those who are able to introduce religion into the on-going social dialogue. Effective discipleship today will be largely defined by the witness to and sharing of faith, even when not specific, through the media networks.
One of the ways this can be achieved is through posting of positive messages on facebook pages and display banners and messages on blackberry, through contributions to discussions in the social networks whereby one speaks on the side of truth and justice. These are some ways Christians can witness through the social media. Few years ago, in his address at the meeting with the World of culture, Belem, Lisbon, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI notes that the Church must enter into dialogue with the world she lives. The document says that: A particularly significant way of offering such witness will be through a willingness to give oneself to others by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence.
• Most. Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
