First-year seminarians in the Diocese of Brooklyn must give up their phones five days a week to deepen prayer and discernment — a step inspired by Pope Francis and embraced for its spiritual impact.
Social Media
Meet the Catholic Influencer Turning NYC Churches Into Viral Destinations
Catholic influencer Adam Llorens is turning NYC churches into viral destinations — using his phone, faith, and storytelling to inspire thousands and highlight the beauty of Catholicism on Instagram.
Priests’ Uplifting Social Media Content Counters Mockery of Faith
At a time when the convergence of faith and social media is in the news after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer mocked the sacrament of Communion in an Instagram video, Father Simon Teller said faith-based social media content, including that which is light-hearted, is possible if it’s done in a way that the creator believes “brings people closer to Jesus.”
Experts Hail U.S. Surgeon General’s Social Media Warning For Youth Mental Health
For parents still wondering if social media can be harmful to their children’s mental health, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy had a warning May 23: “We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis — one that we must urgently address.”
Missouri Bishop Uses Social Media Outlets to Highlight Sacred Works of Art
In conjunction with the yearlong renovation and beautification of the Jefferson City Diocese’s Cathedral of St. Joseph, Bishop W. Shawn McKnight is adorning his social media spaces throughout 2022 with “111 Sacred Works of Art.”
Social Media Can Help Promote Peace in Ukraine, Vatican Prelate Says
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week marks the first major military confrontation in the digital era, where images and videos shared in real-time offer the world a whole new insight into the reality of war, and the spread of misinformation.
Via Twitter, at Mass and In Prayer, U.S. Bishops Unite Behind Ukraine
For some U.S. prelates, such as Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn, New York, the Feb. 24 news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hit close to home.
Catholic Publication’s Twitter Account Locked Over Tweet About Biden Nominee
The editors at a Catholic publication said they are uncertain why an automated social media post was deemed hateful and led their Twitter account to be locked.
Social Media Censorship Leads To the Rise of Free-Speech App
Disgruntled conservatives, claiming they were targeted while liberals could tweet freely, are flocking to “Parler” — that’s French for “talk.” This new platform claims to be an unbiased home for social networking that honors free speech. Conservative politicians, pundits, and other users tout it as a powerful alternative to longtime platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.
The ‘Mass’ Appeal of Livestreaming
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the Diocese of Brooklyn to come up with interesting and creative ways for church pastors and parishioners to stay in touch. With no public celebrations of the Eucharist taking place, parishes are employing a 21st Century solution to the sense of isolation brought about by social distancing.