By Olivia Obijiaku
The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke has called for proper use of the social media. He made this call during his Pastoral Visit to St Maria Goretti Catholic Church Umuona, Aguata LGA, Anambra State on Sunday 12th May 2024.
The spiritual leader acknowledged some advantages of the social media, but lamented the loss of core values of African traditional society to technology.“This year our father Pope Francis focused on AI, Artificial Intelligence.”
The cardinal oriented. “Technology has its good sides but it must be well used. AI can never replace wisdom of the human heart because the wisdom of the heart cannot be sought from machines. In our society today, you may see someone and hear their voices, when in reality, they are not the persons you see or hear.
This is to open our minds so that we can retrace our steps, have a rethink and prepare for the challenges.”“The agents of the devil use these things to destabilize humanity. Today many of our young people including the elderly are no longer alive in the flesh.
They are in the social media. They no longer hear what those who are physically around them say but what is in the air. We must be very careful.
Be very careful, check the impact of any message on the receivers’ walk and relationship with God.’“Ordinarily, our traditional society valued human relationship but the society is changing. Our contribution to the society and social media should be objective and constructive.
It should portray justice, truth, and love. That is why we are called to pray for messengers of the Gospel on a day like this, so that they may see it as an apostolate, like apostles of then and as apostles of the intelligent involvement in social media.”Cardinal commended the Parish Priest, Rev Fr (Barr) Anthony Ezeoke and the parishioners for their dedication to duties and for living up to expectation.
He however noted that many children in the parish are yet to join the Holy Childhood Association, (HCA). He then called on concerned parents and guardians to release their children and wards so that they may be properly groomed and guided.
