Nnadiebube Journal of Religion, Culture and Society

The advancement of social communication tools, commonly referred to as new media, has significantly impacted every aspect of human society in recent times. In many ways, new media serve as a powerful resource for enhancing Catholic liturgical celebrations and promoting faith and social justice, aligning with the Church’s commitment to social action. However, it is essential to recognize that it also presents challenges, particularly its misuse, which often occurs without proper guidance from wisdom and a sense of responsibility. Much literature has been written on the intersection between new media and Catholic liturgy; however, a greatly overlooked area is the long-term implications of misusing new media in Catholic liturgical life. This paper is based on the hypothesis that while new media have potential benefits for the Catholic Church in Nigeria, there are also possible abuses of their use within its liturgical experience. By examining Catholic liturgical life in conjunction with new media through a critical reading of relevant texts and data gathered from concrete observations and random interviews on the subject, this paper discusses the ethical and theological implications of using new media in sacred liturgy. The significance of the study lies in the fact that very little has been done on how digital media techniques are likely to affect the identity of Catholic liturgy in Nigeria and how the consequences could be addressed to preserve the dignity, sacredness, and future of Catholic liturgy

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