The priest as an influencer

The vibrant digital world presents itself as a new “public square,” full of opportunities for the evangelizing mission of the whole Church, and with challenges that we are all called to understand. For those of us who have been called to the priesthood, these platforms open up new avenues and particular responsibilities to bring the Good News, build community, and offer spiritual accompaniment. 

Embarking on this “digital ministry” requires all of us to navigate with prudence and faith. For us priests, it demands particular discernment in order to balance the enormous evangelizing potential with a necessary caution in the face of risks.

The purpose of these lines is to share some reflections and practical guidelines, addressed especially to my brother priests, but which can also enlighten all the faithful who wish to fruitfully enter this digital continent. In this sense, the document Towards a full presence from the Dicastery for Communication, although not exclusively for clergy, provides valuable insights for this common task.

Authentic testimony

The life of faith, and in particular the life of a priest, always arouses genuine interest. Social media can be a window that allows many to learn more about the commitment involved in following Christ and, in the case of the priestly ministry, to appreciate its particular beauty. This can encourage everyone to live their vocation more deeply.

Sharing experiences of faith with simplicity—both the joys and the struggles of the journey—fosters genuine connection and builds bridges of trust. When a priest shows himself to be more human, more approachable, his catechetical and apologetic messages and pastoral advice can have a deeper impact, both on his immediate community and on a wider audience.

Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that the primary task of the priest is to proclaim Christ, the Word made flesh. These new tools offer channels for this proclamation to resonate in every corner, but they can also distract from the most important obligations, which are the sacraments. 

Pope Francis also assured us that, when used well, the digital environment promotes the building of relationships and friendship. 

Networks can thus be a valuable tool for bridging distances and serving others. For priests, this means an extension of their spiritual fatherhood. Even from a practical perspective, these tools offer efficient forms of communication, allowing ministry to extend beyond the physical confines of the parish. 

Sailing with caution

We cannot be naive. Just as the digital world offers a sea of opportunities, it also presents pitfalls that we all, and especially priests because of their particular pastoral responsibility, must learn to navigate wisely.

• Christ always at the centerIt is essential that every Christian presence on the internet, and especially that of the priest, always directs people toward Christ, and not toward oneself. The temptation to self-promotion can be subtle. If humility is a necessary virtue for every Christian, for the priest it is a treasure that must be cultivated with care, always remembering that he is an instrument of God's grace.

• Beware of “digital shipwrecks”The internet can be addictive and lead to wasting precious time. We must all be mindful of our online activity, with priests ensuring that it does not detract from their fundamental pastoral duties or, above all, from their personal prayer life, which is the soul of their ministry.

• Consciousness and austerity in useIt is important for everyone to know themselves well and be aware of their own vulnerabilities. For priests, exercising healthy restraint in the time spent on social media, examining it in light of orderly and healthy use, is always a sign of prudence.

• Watchfulness in the face of temptationThe digital environment can be a “Pandora's box.” Algorithms can lead to inappropriate content. Priests, due to their public role and commitment to chastity, must be particularly vigilant against people or situations that seek inappropriate interactions.

• Prudence and clear boundaries: Prudence is key in interactions. online. Setting healthy boundaries is an act of charity towards oneself and others. For priests, this includes avoiding situations that could compromise their witness or their experience of chastity, maintaining a healthy balance between necessary transparency and the proper protection of their privacy. Knowing that emoticons can be misinterpreted, it is always advisable to be a little more sparing in digital displays of affection.

• Depth versus superficialitySocial media often encourages the ephemeral. Efforts should be directed toward seeking genuine interactions, preventing priests from falling into the trap of seeking validation through likes or followers. 

Pastoral realities 

It is crucial to clearly communicate the scope and limits of the presence. online. Virtual interactions, however valuable they may be, can never replace the irreplaceable richness of sacramental life. As the Magisterium reminds us, “There are no sacraments on the internet.”.

The presence of priests in the digital world must always be a consistent reflection of their identity and vocation. As has been rightly said, “A priest who uses social media is also a priest on social media.”. Their activity online must be guided by a clear intention: evangelization, the proclamation of Christ, and service to souls.

To this end, prayer and discernment are absolutely essential for priests. They need to constantly ask the Lord for guidance to ensure that their digital ministry springs from a contemplative heart. Communicating effectively in digital language requires learning, and priests should not hesitate to seek the collaboration of lay experts.

It is important to be realistic: not all priests are called or equipped to have the same level of online activity. Factors such as age, experience, or pastoral context will influence this.

Personal experience

I simply share that my own experience over the years has confirmed the immense potential we have at our fingertips. I have had the privilege of collaborating with others. influencers of faith, learn about valuable apostolic initiatives, and participate in events and live broadcasts that seek to bring the light and hope of Christ to this new “continent.”. 

In my immediate pastoral work with my own parishioners, I have been delighted to see how grateful they are to find explanations of our faith in the digital world, little snippets of homilies that enlighten them, or even courses and workshops that help them grow. 

For a younger audience, these appearances have been useful in building bridges, understanding, and speaking a common language.

And in a very special way, where perhaps the fruit has become most tangible—and I share this with deep gratitude to the Lord—is in the area of prayer through the podcast format. With initiatives such as Talking with Jesus, We have been privileged witnesses to countless testimonies from people who, through these simple daily meditations, have rekindled their relationship with God. 

By embracing the opportunities that come our way, and by remaining ever vigilant and prudent—especially those of us who have direct pastoral responsibility—we can effectively use these platforms to proclaim the perennial message of the Gospel in a new, dynamic, and above all, deeply personal and authentically close way. Let us not be afraid to bring Christ to every corner of the web!