How can Christians build a thoughtful and effective missionary presence
on social media? This was the focus of a six-month training organized 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 evangelize on social media,” said Father Valéry
Sakougry, representing Archbishop Prosper Kontiébo of Ouagadougou at the event.
He praised the program 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.
Father 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
emphasized that the virtual world is “a pastoral field like any parish.”
Through initiatives like this, PACTPAN aimed to tackle the current challenges of
evangelization, including “changing mindsets, boldly addressing matters of
faith without fear or shame in the digital space.”
Communicating faith-based values
For Lazare Combary, a marketing and communication student who graduated
from the program, 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.” Recognizing 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.”
Potential risks of digital evangelization
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
prioritize followers over spreading the Word of God.”
Nevertheless, the sociology doctoral student is encouraged by the
program’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.”
