Technology and Pastoral Work with Young People

 

The vision for youth ministry as identified by the U.S. bishops and others, clearly calls for the evangelization and catechesis of the young. The inculturation of the Gospel—in language and forms accessible to younger generations—is a complex, but essential task. For evangelization to be effective, it must “use their language, their signs and symbols,  . . . answer the questions they ask, and  . . . [have impact] on their concrete life” (EN 63).

This resource area provides guidance to pastoral ministers on the use of various technologies, and as an aid to pastoral ministers and diocesan, parish, and/or school personnel in determining appropriate boundaries in their use of technology within their ministry area and professional relationships with others.

This resource area provides information in three areas:

  1. Recommended Technology Guidelines for Pastoral Work with Young People
  2. Media Useage and Youth
  3. Background Information on Technology and Its Application and Safety

 

 

"The new communications media, if adequately understood and exploited, can offer priests and all pastoral care workers a wealth of data which was difficult to access before, and facilitate forms of collaboration and increased communion that were previously unthinkable. If wisely used, with the help of experts in technology and the communications culture, the new media can become—for priests and for all pastoral care workers—a valid and effective instrument for authentic and profound evangelization and communion."

Pope Benedict XVI, The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word, Message for the World Day of Social Communications 2010