Church’s true influence is sharing God’s mercy, not chasing ‘likes’

By Roy Lagarde, LiCAS News

Bishop Jose Rapadas of Iligan told Catholic communicators that by embodying these virtues in their ministry, they make the kingdom of God visible and appreciated in the world.

“To be effective and authentic influencers for the Church…we must bear witness to God’s mercy and compassion,” Bishop Rapadas said.

“The Kingdom of God will be enjoyed by the world through our goodness when we bear witness to it,” he stressed, adding: “This is an important task of our social communication.”

The bishop made the statement in his homily at Mass on August 6, the second day of Mass. National Catholic Congress of Social Communications in Lipa City.

More than 300 workers and volunteers from the Ministry of Social Communication are gathered for the event, which runs until August 8.

The prelate clarified that the ministry of social communication is not about gaining more likes and subscribers, but about sharing the truth and values ​​that reflect God’s love.

“We are called to boldly share our encounters with Jesus and to witness to his transforming power in our lives,” Bishop Rapadas said. “Witnessing is attractive,” he added.

The four-day convention, hosted by the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (ECSC), includes discussions on the role of artificial intelligence in digital evangelization.

Opening Mass of the 2024 National Catholic Social Communications Convention, Lipa City, Philippines, August 2024. (Photo by LiCAS News)

Novaliches Bishop Roberto Gaa, who presided over the Mass, noted that while AI is a powerful tool that can facilitate communication, it lacks the human wisdom needed to promote the common good.

Echoing Pope Francis’ message for this year’s World Communications Day, he stressed that AI can never replace the wisdom of the human heart.

“It doesn’t come from one heart resonating with another heart. It’s just us,” Bishop Gaa said.

“And I hope that with this we will be armed with a heart that listens, a heart that experiences and a heart that shares,” he also said.