Church and state’s relationship is exclusive but complementary; each fulfilling its end, i.e. temporal end (state) and spiritual end (church). These two institutions have a strong power to educate and protect the people from the dangers of these instruments. “Civil authorities have particular in this field because of the common good toward which these media are oriented.” However, there are no strict measures as regards the proper use of media in the Philippines. If there are, they aren’t executed properly. Sometimes civil officials are in the frontline of curtailing the press freedom. “all members of the church should make a concerted effort to ensure that the means of communication are put at the service of the multiple forms of the apostolate without delay and as energetically as possible, when and where they are needed.” Religious man and women are also entrusted such heavy task to guard the souls of the people because evil could use media to attract.
In the end, however church and state will remain to be instruments only, for the proper use of the means for social communications. It is the individual who can make a difference. It is a personal responsibility to take into consideration the principles and guidelines to the proper use of these instruments. As a seminarian I consider two principles, namely moderation and necessity. What do we call a thing that is neither moral nor immoral? Amoral is it? Instruments of Social Communications are classified to be as such. “If these instruments are rightly used they bring solid nourishment to human race… but men can employ these gifts against the mind of the divine benefactor, and abuse them to their own undoing.” It is man who can thwart the amorality of these instruments to morality or immorality. In reading Inter Mirifica I understand that the principles of est modus in rebus and of necessity are of great help for the proper use of these instruments.
More often than not immoderation causes more harm. Over eating may lead to obesity; while its opposite may lead one to malnourishment. In like manner, immoderation in the use of Social communication does not only usher man to perversity, it also waste time and resources. This principle does not only imply on the frequency and rarity of its usage. It also applied to the manner of using it. The principle of necessity is a good model for the proper consideration of these instruments. Not everyone is in need of the latest gadgets like cell phones, iPods, laptops, etc. Many people queue in malls if new technologies are out in the market. People of today vaguely understood the notions of need and wants. They do not recognize anymore the dichotomy between the two. This misconception is one factor of the ever glowing materialism among the people.
Hence, the given principles that I have extracted and reflected from the 45 year-old document of Vatican is more valid today than the time it was published. Through these principles, I believe we can avoid the trap to be controlled by these technologies. We must keep moderation in our acquisition of new technology at the same time we must geared only for what is necessary
Recent Comments