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TANZANIA: Bishop Advocates the Creation of Social Media Apostolate in the Dioceses

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

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