In an age where a single message, post or comment can reach thousands of people within seconds, the responsibility that comes with digital communication has become more important than ever. It is against this backdrop that the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese of Buea, His Lordship Michael Bibi, on Monday, 10 August 2026, led a catechetical session at Saint Martin de Porres Parish, Bokwango, on the theme “Digital Communication in Today’s Church.”
Bishop Bibi during catechesis.
The session focused on helping the faithful understand the proper and responsible use of social media, particularly the need to verify information and make sound moral choices before sharing or reacting to content online.
Christians during catechesis
The catechesis reflected the Church’s growing concern about the influence of digital communication on individuals and society. It also resonated with the theme of the 2026 SIGNIS World Congress, “Digital Communication for Cultural Harmony and Environmental Wellbeing,” and the theme of the 2026 World Day of Social Communications, “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.” These themes call for forms of communication that promote harmony, respect human dignity and preserve the human dimension of communication in an increasingly digital world.
{left} Rev Father Martin Njie, { right} Rev father Rodrick Yangsi
In his teaching, Bishop Bibi warned the faithful about the dangers of circulating unverified information, noting that it can result in character assassination and serious damage to a person’s reputation. Drawing from CCC 2477, the Prelate cautioned against rash judgment and calumny, stressing that every person has an inherent right to a good name. He emphasized that spreading false or unverified information can wound individuals and create division within the community, insisting that truth must remain a fundamental moral obligation for every Christian.
The prelate further reminded the faithful that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and must therefore be treated with dignity and respect in all forms of communication. He challenged Christians to see communication as a vocation and to use digital platforms to build others up, promote peace and foster communion rather than division. He urged the faithful to cultivate the habit of pausing, verifying and reflecting before sharing information, so that their presence online may contribute to truth, unity and the transformation of society.