Q: I’ve been told multiple times by older adults/peers/family that I need to be more “involved” in politics and what is happening in the world. Compared to most people, I am disconnected in the sense I’ve deleted most social media apps and rarely watch the news. I’ve deleted these apps for the sake of my personal detachment from them, as well as an effort to live more present and in the real world; a lot of what is on social media apps is fake, wrong, untruthful and full of agendas and propaganda. Especially the news outlets nowadays — I find them very despairing and full of violence and hate and find it hard to maintain a hopeful attitude when I regularly watch them. But sometimes I feel guilty as I am often out of touch with what is happening on a worldwide scale and have been told I have an obligation to be aware of these things. I know it’s probably not a black-and- white answer, but do I have an obligation as a Catholic to be on top of the news? — A.H.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:
In some ways I wish I had more questions like yours!
Ask a Priest often counsels people to limit their intake of news and social media since, as you say, a lot of it is either fake or highly biased or negative. We weren’t built to absorb bad news 24/7. It’s admirable if you are trying to avoid getting caught in that snare.
As to your question: Strictly speaking, there is no obligation to “be on top of the news.”
But since we are in the world, it’s important that we keep up with news to some degree. We want to avoid indifference toward the problems of the world.
Being in touch with the news can help us to dialogue with people and offer a Christian perspective on what they are seeing in the media.
Jesus wasn’t oblivious to news; recall his reference to the tower at Siloam that collapsed (Luke 13:4) and how he used that to convey a spiritual message.
Being aware of events can also help us to live as good citizens. It can help us in our decisions about whom to vote for. It can also prompt us to look for solutions to problems (at least local ones).
If you decide to connect more with the news, do it prudently. Think of looking at the front webpages of serious publications or sign up for their news roundup e-mails.
Yor might consider signing up for e-mails that give a Catholic perspective, such as the National Catholic Register or Crux.
(For related reading, see one of Pope St. John Paul II’s last documents, The Rapid Development.)
Above all, keep focusing on the Good News that Jesus brought.
