Catholic Theologians in Nigeria Recognize “potential” of Digital Media in Society, Decry “defective infrastructure”

Digital technology, they further say, can enhance Nigeria’s “commerce and entrepreneurship, civic engagements and governance.”

“Significantly too, evangelization should be considered an important aspect of our social conversation and should profit from and enrich social media networks like Meta-Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, etc.,” the Catholic theologians say.

While they acknowledge the fact “New Media has become an effective tool for communication”, CATHAN members say they find it regrettable that “the defective infrastructure in the country provides a constant obstacle to the ability of the Church and the people in general to harness the full potential of New Media.”

As a way forward, the Catholic theologians call upon Church leaders to play their prophetic role, reminding Nigeria’s political leaders of their duty to provide services.

They say, “The infrastructural deficits in the country can be surmounted if the Church constantly provides the needed voice to bring the Government to the consciousness of its responsibilities.”

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CATHAN members also highlight “ethical challenges” in the process of engaging digital media, including “privacy laws, copyrights and the responsible use of digital platforms.” 

They add, “Some of the ethical challenges can be overcome by charting a course of purpose-driven development of technology which enhances the Church’s mission without compromising its core values.”

The Catholic theologians, who had their annual conference at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, in the country’s Archdiocese of Abuja emphasize the need to reflect on digital technology and the related peripherals. 

In their communiqué, they caution the people of God against the tendency to undermine discernment, saying, “There is an abiding temptation to simply keep up with this technology without a corresponding reflection on the usefulness of the technology and the gadgets. This lack of reflection can lead to tool dependency which is bereft of direction and meaning in its use and service of the Church.”

Reflection would result in the creative engagement of digital media in a way that fosters evangelization in Africa, they say. 

In this regard, the Catholic theologians call for a “shift from tool dependency in the use of Digital Media to an innovative approach.”

“This innovative approach,” they explain, “inspires technology driven by the need and the context of our African environment. This approach further provides means which will be useful and relevant for the Church’s mission in the country and in Africa.”

CATHAN members, who realized their four-day annual conference in partnership with John Carroll University in Ohio, USA, go on to make recommendations, emphasizing the need for effective engagement of digital media.

“Theological reflections should pay greater attention to intercultural relations especially with regard to the use of New Media,” they say, and add, “Theology should be stepped down to the grassroots through the use of Digital Media interface.”

The Catholic theologians urge Church leaders to “actively engage our youth, talented in the field of Information technology, to design applications and computer programmes which serve our African environment directly in the promotion of missions.”

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Church leaders have to “constantly” remind political leaders “of their responsibilities especially with regard to the infrastructure that supports Digital communication,” they further say, and add, “The Church in Nigeria should develop clear policies on how to harness the potential of Digital Media and how to protect its ethical integrity in the process.”

They call upon the civil society to “constantly” sensitive people “on the need to shun cyber-crime and to remain upright in the use of New Media.”

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