Directory for Catechesis addresses the digital culture

The Directory for Catechesis, developed by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization and approved by Pope Francis on March 23, 2020, provides a brief but rich analysis of the effects of the digital culture on the human person and also provides guidance for catechetical efforts in light of these effects.

The Directory considers the digital culture not only as a “part of the existing cultures” but as a “new culture” which is “changing language, shaping mentalities, and restructuring value hierarchies” on “a worldwide scale”.  The impact of the digital culture must be carefully considered as parish catechetical leaders and parish catechists persevere in their efforts to lead children and families to encounter Jesus.

The Directory notes that there is an inevitable intersection between the language of catechesis and all areas of modern communication. If those of us focused on catechetical efforts ignore this intersection, we run the risk of appearing irrelevant.  Use of modern educational tools from the digital world in catechetical work is encouraged as a means of responding to the needs and expectations of the children in our current digital culture.

While the Directory does highlight some of the many positive contributions made through use of digital tools, many of the negative effects of the digital culture are also discussed at length.  “Digital natives,” or those born into the digital culture, are “molded by the media consumption” and are more convinced by communication in a language that is more like marketing than analytical discourse.

This communication language drives digital natives to be “consumers” of communication rather than “decoders” and leads to an emphasis on the communication of subjective opinion rather than reasoned dialogue. The Directory describes the digital culture as having characteristics that resemble a type of religion in a sense and comments that, even though there are many potential negative outcomes because of this, there exists an opportunity to utilize these characteristics to “offer pastoral care that is global just as digital culture is global.”

As high quality digital catechetical tools become increasingly available and normative in our parish programs, there is a temptation to resort to the use of these digital tools in place of in-person formation. The Directory discourages this approach because, “Only a catechesis that proceeds from religious information to accompaniment and to the experience of God will be capable of offering meaning.”  Accompaniment requires direct contact with another human being. Catechetical activity that is divorced from human contact, the ecclesial community, and liturgical experience is highly deficient and may lead to children confusing “the means with the end”.   

One of the many challenges in the craft of catechesis of today involves reasonably incorporating digital tools into a catechetical program in a balanced way.  Digital tools should act to supplement catechetical instruction and should not be perceived as the focal points of the catechetical instruction.  Children need the witness of other human beings explaining and living out the faith in the real world.

Digital tools can expand our horizons, introduce or review concepts, and expose us to art, music, and events that we would not otherwise have the means to access.  The amount of information readily available in the digital world is astounding, but the knowledge gained from this information does not compare to the intimate knowledge of Jesus available through prayer and the liturgy.  As the Directory for Catechesis affirms: “Virtual reality cannot replace the spiritual, sacramental, and ecclesial reality experienced in direct encounter among persons.”

As our parish catechists navigate the digital world in our parish programs, I pray that the use of digital tools serves to enhance the catechetical experience as our children grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, Pray for us!

Jill Kerekes serves as diocesan director, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children.