Pope Francis says Internet is a gift, but warns against obsessive desire to stay connected: - Dr.Jojy Vengassery
Pope Francis in a statement released last Thursday said that "Internet is a gift from God that facilitates communication", but warned against the obsessive desire to stay connected. He stated that obsession to internet and social media can isolate people from their friends and families.
Pope made these observations in a message about Catholic Church Communications, meditating on the marvels and perils of the digital era and what that means for the faithful going out into the world and interacting with people of different faiths and backgrounds.
He also suggested that while engaging in dialogue with other religions, Catholics shouldn't be arrogant in insisting that they alone posses the truth or attain salvation. In a recent homily at St. Peter's Square he suggested that even atheists can find salvation if they seek God.
He also wrote that, "engaging in dialogue does not mean renouncing our own ideas and traditions, but the pretense that they alone are valid and absolute."
In his message Thursday, Pope Francis said the Internet offers "immense possibilities" to encounter people from different cultural and traditional backgrounds and show solidarity with them.
"This is something truly good, a gift from God," he wrote. But he warned: "The desire for digital connectivity can have the effect of isolating us from our neighbors, from those closest to us."
He called for communications in the digital era to be like "a balm which relieves pain and a fine wine which gladdens hearts". The Church's message should not be one of bombarding others with Christian dogma.
"May the light we bring to others not be the result of cosmetics or special effects, but rather of our being loving and merciful neighbors to those wounded and left on the side of the road," he said.
Pope Francis has 3.59 million followers in his twitter account Pope Francis @ Pontifex.
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