African influencers trained to evangelise on social media
Out of 141 original participants, 56 received diplomas, including nine from Burkina Faso, who were awarded their certificates in a ceremony in Ouagadougou on September 12.
Oct 04, 2024
Davy Soma
How can Christians build a thoughtful and effective missionary presence on social media? This was the focus of a six-month training organised by the Pan-African Network of Theology and Pastoral Ministry (PACTPAN), running from February to August 2024. Out of 141 original participants, 56 received diplomas, including nine from Burkina Faso, who were awarded their certificates in a ceremony in Ouagadougou on September 12.
“It is essential to evangelise on social media,” said Fr Valéry Sakougry, representing Archbishop Prosper Kontiébo of Ouagadougou at the event. He praised the programme as being of “high quality and relevance,” covering “timely, diverse, and rich topics.” The curriculum spanned digital presence strategies, servant leadership, spiritual maturity, non-violence principles, synodal dialogue methods, and the understanding of the church as God’s inclusive family. The students completed 29 evaluated courses over seven months.
Fr Sakougry, drawing from Pope Francis’ exhortation Christus Vivit, highlighted the potential of social media as “a gift from God, a grace of our time.” He emphasised that the virtual world is “a pastoral field like any parish.” Through initiatives like this, PACTPAN aimed to tackle the current challenges of evangelisation, including “changing mindsets, boldly addressing matters of faith without fear or shame in the digital space.”
For Lazare Combary, a marketing and communication student who graduated from the programme, the mission now is to “communicate faith-based values and promote social justice across Africa.” Belemsagha, a physician and fellow graduate, felt ready to embrace her new role: “to be a model for social change in African society” and “a catalyst for societal transformation through digital dialogue on faith for a greater positive impact on our environment.”
She and two other graduates are developing a project to “create and promote a safe and supportive digital space where young people can express their concerns and ask questions about personal and community development.” But first, she plans to deepen her knowledge by “further engaging in continued education on the Church’s social doctrine, the synodal process, and theology.”
Roger Dayamba, a sociology PhD student and fellow graduate, plans to “produce diverse content to spread the Gospel message through audio, video, and written materials.” Recognising the PACTPAN’s ongoing support, he is working on a humanitarian project to assist vulnerable groups, particularly displaced people affected by Burkina Faso’s security crisis. These efforts, including cultural activities, interfaith dialogue, and training programs, will be shared on social media “to encourage society to show greater compassion and solidarity.”
While equipped with tools from PACTPAN, the new influencers are also aware of the potential pitfalls. Belemsagha acknowledged risks such as “getting distracted by the digital world; living a false version of yourself to win over your audience; acting like celebrities; creating online churches and positioning oneself as a spiritual leader; and being seduced by fame.” Dayamba sees the risk stemming from “the autonomy offered by the digital space,” which may tempt influencers to “shift their mission’s focus onto themselves and prioritise followers over spreading the Word of God.”
Nevertheless, the sociology doctoral student is encouraged by the programme’s efforts to address these risks. This includes “instructors urging collaboration with priests and bishops, embracing the Catholic Church’s social doctrine, and constantly remembering that we are instruments for the glory of God alone.” --LCI
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