Communication for communion

It is no coincidence that the English terms “communication” and “communion” trace their roots to the Latin words  “com” and “unus,” that call to mind the concept of unity.

From an ethical standpoint, communication should always be at the service of communion.

This was the crux of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma’s message on the eve of Holy Week, in a meeting with at least 3,500 young people from across the Visayas at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City.

The content of communication should be bounded by ethics, community-forming and community-building, Palma said during the local celebration of the 27th World Youth Day.

Even the revelation of the truth should build and form communities, otherwise an exposé would not serve its purpose, he said.

The prelate shared his reflections in answer to a young Cebuano who sought counsel with regard to the proper use of social networking sites like Facebook and correcting those who misuse the website.

The young man cited as examples subscriber use of foul language or venting of anger with “enemies” on Facebook instead of a physical, face-to-face dialogue with them.

Palma’s reply, nonetheless, has wider applicability because what he shared were general principles.

As it is Holy Week, we as a people would benefit if we take time to analyze whether or not our behavior on the Web builds and forms communities.

In times of disaster like the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong in December 2011 and Typhoon Ondoy in September 2009, Facebook and Twitter were instrumental in consolidating relief efforts for victims.

On special occasions, the online networking sites have been a means for social cohesion and unified, virtual merrymaking.

But on relatively ordinary days, should we just settle for using these digital networks as cures for chronic attention deficit disorder, spaces for spiteful commentary that leads nowhere or platforms for crude self-expression?

In worst-case situations, the networks may have been used for harassment.

In February this year, a nurse from Talisay City was sued for almost P1.4 million in damages for allegedly insulting her female cousin in the social networking site.

Last week, John Jayson Antonio, 24, was arraigned on charges of grave threat and child abuse after he allegedly threatened to post seminude photos of a 16-year-old Filipino-Japanese girl on Facebook if she refused to pay him P15,000 or have sex with him.

When the general populace is neither circumspect nor discerning and has no noble aim in the use of social networking sites, we cannot wonder why these sites impress base elements as nothing more than a high-tech, free-for-all jungle where ethics and the common good do not matter.