GEWORLD Interview Questions

1. As someone dedicated to the Catholic Church, do you think that the growing use of
various forms of social media has made religion more accessible to the people?

First things first, what do you mean here by religion? It could mean different things kasi to
different people. If by religion you refer to those practices which could make a person
spiritual, then I’d say … not much. Quite often (and especially among teenagers), social
media (like FB, IG and twitter) tends to focus on the here and how – your new cellphone,
your rants sa school, sa traffic, sa strict parents, where you went on vacation, what you ate,
what you’re wearing, what’s in, what’s cool, what’s solid, etc etc. Having said the following,
I think social media, when used rightly ,can be a very good platform for promoting the right
practice of religion and deepening of faith.

2. With the rise of various ways of communication through the internet, how have you
integrated this within the structure of your institution? Please give specific answers if
possible. (e.g. creating websites, Facebook groups, communicating through social media)

Sorry I don’t have IG and twitter. I have FB but I only use it to communicate with my
family. Still, I know of many sites by priests, bishops and religious groups which explain the
articles of the Catholic Faith, clarify the devotions we do and many other things.

3. Can you say that people have been more encouraged to be religious through these
innovations? If so, can you give an example of how this has made things easier?

I don’t think so. At the end of the day, I still believe innovations and technology are just
means. Now like any other means, it depends on how we use them. I am of the firm belief
kasi na evangelization needs personal contact. Sabi nga in the classroom setting, the teacher
is the best medium of instruction – not the drawings or powerpoint or projector. Tipong
nung time naman ni Jesus at ng apostles wala naman silang social media like FB, IG, etc pero
napalapit pa rin nila yung mga tao sa Diyos through their witnessing and presence. Get my
point?

4. It has been said that the steady rise of social media has distracted and steered the youth
away from religion. Do you agree with this? If so, can you give examples on how
technology can be an obstacle towards being more religious?
Yes I agree with this. The irony is social media has caused many kids, teenagers and even
adults to feel socially alienated, depressed, lonely, etc. The irony of it all is that despite the
rise of social media, more and more persons still feel lonely, depressed and isolated. So it no
longer surprised me when I read in one article that Bill Gates (or si Steve Jobs ata yun) kept
his kids from using gadgets. In a way, I feel thankful na I grew up without cellphones and
computers. Yes I bruised my head and my knees many times playing tubing preso, patintero
but I really felt socially connected with my playmates.

5. For some, the change that comes with technology threatens the traditional and
conventional ways of religion. Do you think that these modernizations have been more
beneficial or harmful for traditional religious institutions, such as the Roman Catholic
Church?

Again, it depends on the right use of technology. Technology, like many other human
inventions intended to make our lives easier or more convenient is a double-edged sword.
The user has the power to use it rightly or wrongly. In light of the natural and man-made
calamities which have happened lately – earthquakes, volcano eruption, death of kobe, ncov
– it appears that social media has become a platform for people to examine themselves and
realize how humanity has abused the environment and the freedom God gave us. So in a
way, social media is used rightly when it is able to help challenge the nitzens to face the hard
questions of life and figure out the important role of faith and spirituality in coping up with
these calamities. Pope Francis is in Twitter and so do many bishops and priests, and it is
indeed good to know that they have used social media to help believers better understand the
mystery of suffering brought about by natural and human calamities.

6. In Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, he asks for ‘development in human

responsibility, values and conscience’ regarding the use of technology. How do you think
we, especially in the context of religion, can use technology more responsibly?

I think it helps to be critical about the posts in social media and refrain from immediately
believing everything that is posted in the internet. I would liken the internet to a big
container filled with lots of good and bad things and so it is important to be careful about
what we read or view in the internet. Let us stop being instrumental in spreading fake news.
Let us make an effort to share good and inspiring news which can really uplift everyone
rather than promote confusion, division or violence.

7. Lastly, do you have any pieces of advice to the youth about modernization and religion?
 Let me just repeat again what I earlier said: it is important to we be critical about the posts in
social media and refrain from immediately believing everything that is posted in the internet.
Let us stop being instrumental in spreading fake news. Let us make an effort to share good
and inspiring news which can really uplift everyone rather than promote confusion, division
or violence.

Fr. Francis R. Salcedo, PhD

TRED Faculty – DLSU Manila