AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY

With the development and advancement of technological realities like smart phones, social media, fingerprint recognition, artificial intelligence, to mention but a few, great strides have been accomplished in the digital sector plunging humanity into a digital age, in which the world has become a global village. The emergence of the digital age has permeated every facet of life, including politics, health, sports, and, significantly, the Church. As the Body of Christ, the Church must engage meaningfully with the digital world, while remaining faithful to Scriptures and the living tradition of the Church as interpreted through magisterial teaching. This paper, therefore, seeks to interrogate the theological and pastoral implications of digital technology in the life of the Church, considering its impact on liturgy, catechesis, and ecclesial communion. It examines challenges such as the risk of digital individualism, misinformation, the commodification of faith, and the erosion of sacramental presence. At the same time, it underscores the prospects for global evangelization, online discipleship and mentorship, access to catechetical information and, the fostering of authentic Christian witness in virtual spaces. It also echoes the Church’s perspective that the digital age presents an opportunity to build an ecclesial community characterized by love and solidarity, extending the call to be ‘loving neighbors’ even to fellow digital inhabitants.

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