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Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya Urges Church to Dive Deeper into “the world without limits” Presented by Social Media

Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya. Credit: Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP)

Amid the world’s rapid technological advancements and evolving communication landscapes, the church should consider diving deeper into the world of social media, the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya has said.

Speaking during an interview with Sr. Olga Massango of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP), Archbishop Hubertus van Megen reflected on the significance of the Jubilee of the World of Communications scheduled for January 24 to 26 in Rome, and how the Church should use the occasion to enhance its role in social media.

“The Jubilee of the World of Communications… is focusing very much on the internet and social media, which, still, I would feel, is for the Church a challenge,” Archbishop van Megen said during the interview that FSP published on Tuesday, January 21.

Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya. Credit: Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP)

He added, “The Church still has to understand better its role within the large world of social media, which is a world without limits in the sense that it goes beyond our actual world. It is the new marketplace, especially for younger people.”

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Archbishop van Megen likened social media to the “marketplace” St. Paul visited in Athens as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, noting the need for the Church to prioritize meeting people in their current spaces of interaction.

“I feel we, as a Church, really should develop that media more. Also because, you know, a bit like St. Paul, when he went to Athens, he went to meet people in the marketplace. I think that is also true for the Church of today,” said the Dutch-born Vatican diplomat.

The Nuncio explained that the Jubilee Year provides an opportunity for reflection, spiritual growth, and a deeper understanding of the Church’s mission.

Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya. Credit: Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP)

He said, “The Jubilee Year, which we celebrate every 25 years, is a year of reflection, a year of special graces, a year of deepening our faith, and also a year of understanding better what the Church is about.”

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Referring to the January 24-26 celebration of the Jubilee of the World of Communications, Archbishop van Megen highlighted the Biblical roots of the Jubilee, tracing it back to Judaism.

According to the Dicastery for Communications website, the public events of the three-day celebrations are to begin on the evening of January 24 with a welcome and Penitential Liturgy at St. John Lateran Basilica from 17h30 Rome time, to be followed by an international Holy Mass for the Feast of St. Francis de Sales from 19h00.

January 25 is to start off with a pilgrimage to the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, and then a cultural meeting and later, a meeting with Pope Francis.

Sr. Olga Massango.Credit: Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP)

Other activities of the day include a panel discussion which Dr. Paolo Ruffini will moderate, participation in the live-streamed Vespers that the Holy Father is to preside over at the Basilica of St. Paul for the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and the screening of the documentary “Green Lava” by Lia Beltrami.

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Holy Mass on the “Sunday of the Word of God” on January 26 at St. Peter’s Basilica, which Pope Francis will preside over, is the last activity of the three-day Jubilee of the World of Communications.

In the Interview Published on January 21, Archbishop van Megen reflected on the event in Rome and said that it would bring together journalists and other communication professionals to reflect on the Church’s role in the media.

He acknowledged the unique contributions of the Pauline sisters in Church communications, saying, “People are called to Rome, journalists and other individuals who are active within communications, to discuss further and deepen the role of the Church within the media world, I would say, at large, where you, as Pauline sisters, of course, are active in a special way.”

Archbishop van Megen emphasized the importance of celebrating the Jubilee, describing it as an opportunity for the Church to embrace its mission in the dynamic landscape of modern communications.

Archbishop Hubertus van Megen with Sr. Olga Massango. Credit: Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP)

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The meeting of Journalists and other communication professionals in Rome aligns with the mandate of the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year which seeks to provide the people of God across the globe with an opportunity to participate in various planned jubilee events at the Vatican and in their respective Episcopal Sees and ICLSAL.

Announcing the start of a Year of Prayer on 21 January 2024 in preparation for the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, the second in his Pontificate after the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015, Pope Francis said that the yearlong initiative will be “dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in one’s personal life, in the life of the Church, and in the world.”

The Holy Father officially launched the 2025 Jubilee Year on the Eve of Christmas 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.