Why Priests, Pastors, Shepherds & Evangelists Must Be On Social Media
Recently, we’ve heard from some ignorant and uninformed persons suggesting that Catholic Priests should quit social media and focus solely on their apostolates and spirituality.
These individuals believe that online engagement distracts from the more traditional pastoral duties of a priest. However, this view overlooks the reality of today’s digital world, where many people, especially the younger generation, turn to social media for answers, guidance, and discussions about faith and morality.
The truth remains that social media has become a critical space where many false teachings and misleading interpretations of the Gospel thrive. Without priests actively engaging online, the faithful are left vulnerable to being misled by influencers and groups that teach the false gospel.
The Church has always pointed to the importance of bringing the Gospel to all places, and in today’s world, the internet is one of the most important “places” where people gather.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his “Message for the 44th World Communications Day,” called for priests to use new media to share the Gospel and provide pastoral care in the digital age. His message was drawn from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which stresses the duty of evangelization in all contexts. Social media, as a modern gathering place, is a crucial platform for evangelization.
Even Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, highlights the importance of going to the peripheries, including the digital periphery. Many people who are far from the Church physically or spiritually spend much of their time online, and this makes it an important mission field for priests. Ignoring the online world would mean leaving countless souls without proper guidance.
The presence and activities of Priests on social media even complements their apostolate and mission. Engaging online allows priests to address misconceptions about the faith and provide real-time spiritual direction to those who may never visit a church. My most recent experience confirms this: two Muslims I encountered in an online discussion converted to Christianity and are already eagerly learning from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and asking more questions. Had Priests not been present on social media, that kind of conversion might not have happened.
Therefore, it is not just beneficial but quintessential for priests to be present and active on social media. This digital space is where many of the faithful seek answers and where misinformation often prevails. Priests, as shepherds of their flock, have a duty to guide and protect the faithful, both in the parish and online. By engaging with social media, priests fulfill their mission to teach, guide, and sanctify, just as Christ commanded.
Written by Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri