Religious, clergy warned against social media excesses

BENGALURU, Karnataka (Indian Catholic News) — Latin Catholic bishops in India have directed priests and religious to use social media responsibly, urging them to remain faithful to their vocation and avoid content that seeks “cheap popularity,” fuels division or undermines the dignity of consecrated life.

The directives were issued by the Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy & Religious of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India in a circular dated May 20 and sent to bishops, major superiors and seminary rectors across the country. The circular was signed by Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakal of Calicut, chairman of the commission.

“The digital world today has become a powerful space for evangelization and pastoral outreach,” the circular said. “At the same time, it carries serious risks when used without discernment.”

The bishops said recent online trends had “caused concern regarding the dignity of priestly and consecrated life in digital platforms” and called for “greater responsibility, discipline, and accountability in digital engagement.”

The circular referred to a white paper published earlier this year by the bishops’ conference titled Mission in the Digital Environment: Social Media Engagements and SOPs for the Catholic Church in India, which outlined guidelines for clergy and religious using social media.

“As shepherds and superiors, we have a shared duty to ensure that our clergy and religious give an authentic, dignified, and scandal-free witness in the digital space,” the circular said.

The directives had been approved during the 99th Executive Committee meeting of the bishops’ conference and urged Church authorities to implement them “with seriousness and pastoral care,” the circular said.

Call for dignity and accountability

The bishops stressed that online activity by priests and religious could not be viewed as a purely private matter.

“Priests and religious must remember that their presence on social media is never merely personal,” the document said. “All content must reflect credibility, responsibility, and communion with the Church.”

The circular added that “every post, comment, or interaction should build faith and not weaken it.”

The bishops also warned against using clerical attire in trivial or entertainment-focused content designed to attract online attention.

“Cassock and religious habit are sacred signs of consecration and must be treated with reverence,” the circular said. “Posting photos, reels, or videos in religious attire that are trivial, entertaining for cheap popularity, or lacking dignity must be strictly avoided.”

It said any appearance in clerical or religious dress online “should serve only genuine pastoral, liturgical, or formative purposes.”

The document also cautioned clergy and religious against hostile or divisive online behaviour. “Communication in the digital space must reflect the mind and heart of Christ,” it said. “Offensive language, sarcasm, ridicule, ideological aggression, or divisive comments are not acceptable.”

The bishops instructed clergy and religious to “avoid controversies and express themselves with charity, truth, and pastoral sensitivity.”

Warning against self-promotion

The directives also addressed concerns about online relationships, warning clergy and religious to maintain appropriate boundaries in digital communication.

“Private chats and online interactions must be limited, appropriate, and transparent,” the circular said. “Avoid conversations that may lead to emotional dependency, misunderstanding, or compromise of one’s vocation.”

The bishops urged Church personnel to use “official and accountable channels for pastoral communication.”

The circular took a particularly strong stance against self-promotion and monetisation through digital platforms. “The pursuit of popularity, visibility, or personal gain contradicts the spirit of priestly and consecrated life,” it said. “The use of social media for self-promotion, trend-following, monetization, or sensational content must cease.”

Instead, the bishops said the digital presence of clergy and religious “should reflect simplicity, humility, and mission.”

The document concluded by calling for ongoing formation and self-discipline in digital engagement.

“All clergy and religious are to be guided towards disciplined and meaningful engagement so that social media becomes a tool for evangelization and communion, not confusion or scandal,” it said. “The credibility of our witness today extends into the digital world. Let us ensure that those who encounter us online encounter Christ—never confusion, division, or scandal.”

Read the full circular.