In our day, we have seen the art of political commentary reduced to 140 characters a tweet on Twitter. The purpose of this editorial is not to bemoan what has come to be true – important events and news are no longer exclusively announced on the pages of a newspaper.

As the newspaper (which still is essential and still has its place as a permanent, physical entity, as well as an online presence) made room for the nightly news program, and in the 1980s, the nightly news show made room for the cable news channels, now we in the past 10 years recognize that online entities like Twitter are another option for breaking news.

With Twitter, blogging and of course, Facebook (which can almost seem quaint compared to Snapchat, Instagram, and other social communication means), anyone can (and does) participate in the dissemination of the news and the dialogue that follows.

We need to look no further than the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. The constant back and forth commentary on every speech by pundits and candidates alike was often more interesting than the speeches themselves.

As was mentioned, in our age, anyone with a Twitter account can post any thought that they have ever had on any issue that they wish. And when we enter the Catholic “blogosphere,” we see that we have clergy (priests and permanent deacons), religious, and some of those laity involved in other official apostolates giving their opinions. And sometimes, if one were to examine some of the posts, some of them are not that helpful, thoughtful and even are rather imprudent, to be generous, and scandalous, to be extreme.

Everyone has a right to his or her opinion. Twitter and other social media outlets permit people to express themselves. And this is a good thing. However, certain things, especially when a member of the clergy or a member of an institute or congregation of religious life posts, need to be remembered.

The clergyman has a right to his own opinion. He must express that opinion, even if he should choose to do so in a forceful manner, in a manner of a gentleman. The priest or permanent deacon who “tweets” needs to remember that by his sacred ordination, he does not only represent himself: he represents his diocese, his bishop, his Church, and ultimately, Christ Himself.

When commenting on a political or ecclesiastical situation, the clergyman must always act in a manner befitting his state of life. He must always act with the charity of Christ Jesus; if he senses injustice, and feels the need to express his outrage, he should do so in a prayerful, peaceful, and Christ-like manner.

Some of what has been written and retweeted by Catholic clergy and laity has been rather ugly. True, some of what they have been reacting to has itself been very ugly, especially in this circus-like political campaign. But we can never allow ourselves to sink to a level that would make anyone doubt our Christian ethics and our Catholic morality.

Vulgar language and violent talk are not part of the New Evangelization. This always needs to be kept in mind. We do not belong to Donald; we do not belong to Hillary; we belong to Jesus Christ, today, tomorrow and forever.

And this has to be reflected in what we tweet, retweet, post and repost on Facebook, Twitter and our blogs.