MALAWI: Bishop Advocates ICT for Effecting New Evangelisation
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| Bishop Mfumbusa of Kondoa Diocese |
The Chairman
of Social Communications Department for the Tanzanian Episcopal Conference
(TEC) Right Rev. Bernadin Francis Mfumbusa has challenged Bishops of Association
Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region to make use of
new digital technology and social media to promote New Evangelization.
of Social Communications Department for the Tanzanian Episcopal Conference
(TEC) Right Rev. Bernadin Francis Mfumbusa has challenged Bishops of Association
Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) region to make use of
new digital technology and social media to promote New Evangelization.
Presenting
his paper on topic of “Influence/Impact/Role
of new digital technology (ICT) and Social Media in the Evangelization work of
the Church” on Monday 21 July 2014, Bishop Mfumbusa said that the Pastoral
Agents of Evangelization must be conversant with new media technologies to
avoid being left behind by the people whom they serve.
his paper on topic of “Influence/Impact/Role
of new digital technology (ICT) and Social Media in the Evangelization work of
the Church” on Monday 21 July 2014, Bishop Mfumbusa said that the Pastoral
Agents of Evangelization must be conversant with new media technologies to
avoid being left behind by the people whom they serve.
“More
and more people use social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google Plus
among others to exchange information and share knowledge. Facebook alone has 1
billion users and counting,” he said adding that “Using new media
technology is no longer optional. To exist in the information age is to be
online.”
and more people use social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google Plus
among others to exchange information and share knowledge. Facebook alone has 1
billion users and counting,” he said adding that “Using new media
technology is no longer optional. To exist in the information age is to be
online.”
“Today
many people consult Google or wikis for information rather than Catechists or
Parish Priests. Actually, Google has become a sort of an oracle of information age,”
he added.
many people consult Google or wikis for information rather than Catechists or
Parish Priests. Actually, Google has become a sort of an oracle of information age,”
he added.
He made an
appeal to Bishops to incorporated ICT is in the seminary training. “ICT is now
becoming a popular means of communication; if we are not really up to date in
using these technologies, we cannot even fulfil Jesus mandate of going to the
world and make people his disciples,” he said adding that with social media,
the church will be able to foster new community, attract new parishioners, by
so creating virtual parishes and dioceses.
appeal to Bishops to incorporated ICT is in the seminary training. “ICT is now
becoming a popular means of communication; if we are not really up to date in
using these technologies, we cannot even fulfil Jesus mandate of going to the
world and make people his disciples,” he said adding that with social media,
the church will be able to foster new community, attract new parishioners, by
so creating virtual parishes and dioceses.
Bishop Mfumbusa
urged each Episcopal Conference to develop an information policy that will
guide flow of information in the conference
urged each Episcopal Conference to develop an information policy that will
guide flow of information in the conference
He further
advocated for training of other Church personnel because most of these have
limited knowledge leading to limited communication. Bishop Mfumbusa advised
AMECEA to organise awareness conference for bishops in the region to increase
ICT literacy.
advocated for training of other Church personnel because most of these have
limited knowledge leading to limited communication. Bishop Mfumbusa advised
AMECEA to organise awareness conference for bishops in the region to increase
ICT literacy.
By Fr. Winfield Kunda & Makeda Yohannes
