By The Catholic Standard
In recent times, there have been many calls especially on the youth to be circumspect with the kind of pictures, videos and write-ups they circulate on Social Media about themselves and other persons since it may have dire consequences on those involved.
Unfortunately, the ugly effects of the use of Social Media is gradually creeping into our Priests and Religious who are supposed to be role models for the Lay Faithful to emulate.
While some Priests and Religious use their Social Media pages to write inspiring and motivational messages to strengthen the laity in their faith, others also spend their time on Social Media writing distasteful things about their colleagues.
Only recently, there was a rather unpleasant write-up about one of our Bishops which was posted on Facebook by the Bishop’s own Priest. It is sad that some Priests hide behind Social Media to write unprintable things about their Bishops whom they owe allegiance to.
Most people engage with Social Media without stopping to think of what the effects are on our lives, whether positive or negative.
Though Social Media is a fantastic tool for communication, awareness raising and marketing, we need to be circumspect in its usage as cautioned by Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra in a story on the back page of this Paper.
We remind Catholics, both the Clergy and the Lay Faithful that materials once posted on the internet, especially on social media networks can never be retrieved; even if deleted, it never goes away.
The Catholic Standard reiterates Rev. Msgr. Prof. Stephen Ntim’s advice to Priests to desist from writing damaging letters about their colleagues and their Bishops since it is a demonstration of mediocrity.
Priests and Religious should bear in mind that their promise of obedience to the Bishop and his Successors and Superiors during their Ordination and Profession of Vows lives with them till death.
We advise our Pastors to discuss their grievances with their Brother Priests with tact and not resort to Social Media platforms.
As peace-makers who encourage dialogue in the solution of conflicts, Priests should be doers of their own words and not only preachers since many of the faithful look up to them for guidance.
The Catholic Standard advises Priests who use the Social Media to be aware that they represent the Catholic Church in both their vocation and personal capacities and for that matter they have to identify themselves as such.
We suggest that the Church in Ghana should come out with clear guidelines for the use of Social Media for Catholic Education, Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Personnel in all the Dioceses.
These guidelines, we believe, will help Catholic Social Media users not to engage in activities that would reflect negatively on the Church or cause any public scandal.
In our view, Social Media can easily expose one to public ridicule and wreck one’s career. It could also serve as a recipe for self-destruction and we advise Ghanaians, for that matter Catholics, including Bishops, Priests and the Religious to be wary of it.
This Paper reminds our Priests that they, in union with their Bishops share in one and the same Priesthood Ministry of Christ and that the very unity of their Consecration and Mission require their hierarchical unity with the Order of Bishops.
