New Online Catholic Campaigns Leverage Social Media

Catholic Media Promotion Day and JPII 'thank you' campaign exemplify purpose of social media

Recent social media efforts within the Catholic Church are not just encouraging the use of social media, but also the spread of strong, Biblical, Catechetical and Magisterial digital content. These new medias will be one way in which the Church continues to be the beacon of hope for many, and the source of truth for all.

P>WASHINGTON DC (Catholic Online) - Whenever people give advice about how to do something, whether that be fix a car, loose weight, or clean a house, doesn't it help when the person giving the advice actually lives what they preach?

Well the Catholic Church is learning to leverage the power of social medias in exciting ways, while maintaining their true purpose. With the endorsement of Pope Benedict XVI, we are learning how to use social media while also being weary of its lacking. One of the most important elements of social media and blogging is to remember that on the other end of every Facebook status, Tweet, or blog comment is an actual person that needs personal interactions that aren't available on a computer or smart phone.

Headline Bistro has been commended for its use of social media to give young people an opportunity to say "thank you" to John Paul II. Headline Bistro is collecting 500-word or less notes written to John Paul II thanking him for all his work in leading the Catholic faithful. This is where the typical social media campaign would end. But to add a personal, tangible element to it, this Knights of Columbus new service, will be taking these notes to Rome for Pope John Paul II's beatification.

Taking the actual messages of each person who submits one to the actual beatification provides a feeling of actually participating in the event. That feeling might inspire people in their faith and encourage them in their daily walk.

Another effort that leverages social media to an even greater extent is the organic movement of Catholic Media Promotion Day. This movement of new media Catholics hopes to accomplish 4 goals:

1. On March 15, 2011, everyone with a blog, podcast, or Facebook page is encouraged to list their favorite three blogs, three podcasts, three other Catholic medias, three random Catholic things online, and their own projects.

2. Participants will then post the link of their list to the Catholic Media Promotion Day's Facebook page on March 15th.

3.  Press are encouraged to write articles and press releases about this digital event.

4. On March 15th, participants will be going to iTunes and leaving at least three positive written reviews for various Catholic podcasts and three positive written reviews for Catholic mobile applications.

Using social media and other new medias to help increase the exposure of solid, Catholic content on the internet is vital for the Church.

Pope Benedict recently said in his address to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, "The contribution made by believers can be useful to the world of the mass media, opening horizons of meaning and value which digital culture alone is incapable of seeing or representing."

Similarly, Bishop Ron Herzog wrote about the consequences of ignoring social media: "Social media is proving itself to be a force with which to be reckoned. If not, the church may be facing as great a challenge as that of the Protestant Reformation."

These kinds of efforts, which not only use social media, but also encourage the spread of strong, Biblical, Catechetical and Magisterial content, will be one way in which the Church continues to be viewed as a beacon of hope for many, and the source of truth for all.

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Billy Atwell contributes to Catholic Online, and blogs for The Point and the Manhattan Declaration. As a young lay Catholic and two-time cancer survivor he offers commentary on faith, culture, and politics. You can find all of his writings at For the Greater Glory.

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