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| Bishop Bernadini Mfumbusa |
The Bishop Chairman of Social Communications Department at the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Rt. Rev. Bernadini Mfumbusa has called the dioceses to consider having Social Media Apostolate in order to cope with the challenges of the digital generation.
Bishop Mfumbusa, who is the ordinary of Kondoa Diocese in Tanzania was on 27th November 2014 addressing the participants of the conference organized by AMECEA Pastoral department on the revitalization of the Council of Laity for Eastern Africa which is currently going on in Dar-es-salaam Tanzania.
While giving presentation on New Evangelization, Social Media, & the Laity, Bishop Mfumbusa said “In the present era of Social Media, People consult google not catechist or parish priest for information;.”
“What do -“google& wikis” say about the church? What do they say about your diocese, about your parish and about you as an agent of evangelization?” he said adding that “It is high time that the Church must also be present online.”
Bishop Mfumbusa pointed out that mastering normative communication technology is a MUST for effecting New Evangelization.
He therefore recommended two things which must be done to make Church remain relevant in the digital era. “Number one is to ensure web presence – create virtual parishes & dioceses and number two is to enhance digital literacy amongagents of evangelization throughongoing formation,” he said.
“The Laity who are more conversant with the new technologymust help the Church on issues of new media at their respective places,” he said adding that “Let us use the social media applications such as WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook, Skype etc to evangelize,” he said adding “Even social media need to be evangelized and the laity can be very instrumental in this area.”
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social Communications, Dar- es-Salaam, Tanzania