Social Media

Social Networking Policy
for the Catholic Church
in Australia

May, 2015

Communication is integral to our humanity.
Social networking opens up new channels of
communication and there are immense gifts and
challenges that are still being unwrapped in this
ever-evolving world.

Social networks offer new ways in which we can
dialogue with others, build relationships and learn
about our shared humanity.

Social networking has been endorsed by the Holy
See and Catholics are wholeheartedly encouraged to
seek the good that can come of such networking, and
observe its effects.

“The media can help communication
when they enable people to share their
stories, to stay in contact with distant
friends, to thank others or to seek their
forgiveness, and to open the door to new
encounters.” (World Communications
Day Message, 2015)

Through our considered use of social networks, we
can seek to understand some of their benefits, and
some of the difficulties that can be overcome with
social media training.

The Catholic Church in Australia provides these
guidelines for how we might engage with the most
popular social networks. This advice will be offered
in the light of the Gospel, and relying on some of the
advice given by the Holy See in their annual messages
for World Communications Day.

Church personnel engage with social media on a daily
basis. More and more, platforms such as Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google +, and
Pinterest (the seven most popular networks) are used
to disseminate information, advertise events, share
stories and offer pastoral care. When used well, the
potential for evangelisation is limitless

In the 2015 message for World Communications
Day, Pope Francis has written about the impact of
modern media on family life. His advice reasons that
oftentimes, our use of media can help, but also hinder
our communication. It is useful when navigating the
area of social media and policies around it for Church
agencies to carefully discern how they might use
them.

“By growing daily in our awareness of the
vital importance of encountering others,
these ‘new possibilities’, we will employ
technology wisely, rather than letting
ourselves be dominated by it.” (World
Communications Day Message, 2015)

Social Networking Policy for the Catholic Church in Australia

Human dignity in our encounters

Online and offline behaviour of clergy, Church employees and members of Church organisations should always demonstrate a Christ-centred love for others.

Even those working in Church organisations who might not be Christian should still ensure that when representing the Church, their behaviours demonstrate a respect for human dignity. Boundaries should always be taken into consideration and observed.

In particular, those involved in work with young people should be aware of the Church’s child protection protocols and policies of both the Church and of civil authorities.

Those who engage in social networking as part of their Church ministry should do so in the name of evangelisation, to build appropriate relationships that can encourage and foster growth in faith. This engagement should facilitate a growing in relationship with Christ

The sharing of information on sites should be of appropriate materials for faith formation or catechesis. Social-Networking sites can be ideal for promotion of Church events or activities and for sharing worship resources in a wide range of formats, be it video, text or sound.

The teachings of the Catholic Church should be consistently upheld in these social-networking activities, and should not move beyond appropriate personal communication with those being ministered to.

Clear distinctions should be maintained between personal and professional communication in the social networking environment.

Those who engage in social networking as part of their Church ministry should do so in the name of evangelisation

General advice for social
networking

The Church in Australia, both officially and unofficially
has members on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,
LinkedIn, Instagram, Google +, and Pinterest. To
varying degrees, each of these networks can be
used for the promotion of the Gospel message.
As an appendix to this document, there is a short
description of each of these networks in the document
“The Social Networks” and how they might be used
by Church personnel.

The following points are relevant to all of the different
social networks

• Those working in a youth ministry or other
  Church capacity which could involve social
  networking should seek permission from a
  Diocesan leader (Bishop, Business Manager, or
  Communications Manager) before engaging
  in this area, and establish clear boundaries in
  ministry-based relationships.
• Bishops conference agencies are encouraged
  to have a social media present, however, it is
  not appropriate for an advisory council or a
  taskforce established by a bishops’ commission
  to develop a Facebook page or a Twitter
  account. Their social media engagement should
  always take place through the agency with
  which they have liaison.
• Clergy, Church workers or religious who use
  social networking sites in a professional capacity
  should keep this distinct from a private capacity
  and care should be taken in accepting or
  adding ‘friends’. There is great potential for a
  blurring of boundaries in the social networking
  field.
• Those Church organisations which wish to
  engage officially in social networking activities
  might choose do so as a group, and found a
  page which can be administered by a number
  of people. This system does not prevent Church
  workers from having their own personal profiles;
  it simply places a clear line between personal
  and work. This can also remove any ambiguity
  about friendship relationships or ministry
  relationships.
• The use of photographs or videos should
  be carefully considered. Where possible,
  photographic release forms should be signed,
  and permissions should be sought from all who
  appear in photographs or videos before being
  posted or tagged. For example, if holding an
  event, it is useful to announce at the beginning
  if a photographer will be present, and where
  photos may end up. Then people who are
  uncomfortable about their photos appearing
  can mention this to the organisers.
• Church networking activities should be
  monitored by a third-party where possible, and
  where this is difficult, the Church worker should
  refer to the underlying principles and teaching
  of the Church. Commentaries appearing on
  social networking sites of a rude or offensive
  nature or those which are vulgar or which could
  be interpreted as bullying should be removed
  immediately

Some final considerations

The Church in Australia has shown much leadership
in the area of social networking and is recognised
internationally. Much of this has to do with access to
resources.

We must remember, as Pope Francis reminds us, that
not all parts of the world have the same access. Some
live in poverty, others live in remote areas with limited
access to technology. Hearing others talk about their
social networking experiences can be profoundly
isolating for those unable to take part. Social
Networking should never replace authentic human
relationships, but rather enhance them.

As we are reminded in this year’s message for World
Communications Day, our use of technology should
never be the cause of relationship breakdown,
particularly in that most important of relationships,
with our families.

“Families should be seen as a
resource rather than as a problem for
society. Families at their best actively
communicate by their witness the beauty
and the richness of the relationship
between man and woman, and between
parents and children. We are not fighting
to defend the past. Rather, with patience
and trust, we are working to build a
better future for the world in which we
live.” (World Communications Day 2015)

There is much to be discovered on social media,
and ways in which we can use it to enhance our
endeavours as a Church. The Catholic Church has a
rich and beautiful message to share, and we should
make use of these networks in the best way possible.

Beyond this policy, the Communications team of the
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has worked
to develop a number of resources, which may assist in
the area of social networking. At www.catholic.org.au,
there are free downloads, written information as well
as some tips for your organisation