The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has issued a poignant call to the faithful as the Lenten season begins, suggesting a modern twist on traditional penance: fasting from digital media. In a pastoral guidance released this week, the bishops emphasized that while abstaining from meat and fasting from meals remain core pillars of the liturgical season, a “digital fast” is increasingly necessary to rediscover spiritual silence in a noisy, hyper-connected world.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, President of the CBCP, explained that the constant barrage of notifications, social media scrolling, and online consumption often serves as a distraction from meaningful prayer and reflection. The Church clarifies that this is not an indictment of technology itself, but rather a challenge for individuals to reclaim their time and attention. By stepping away from screens, the clergy believes that Catholics can better hear the “still, small voice of God” that is frequently drowned out by the relentless hum of the internet.
This call for a digital disconnect also addresses the growing concern over the quality of human relationships. The CBCP noted that while digital platforms claim to “connect” people, they often result in a “poverty of presence,” where individuals are physically together but mentally miles apart. A temporary break from Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms is seen as an opportunity to foster deeper, face-to-face encounters with family, friends, and the marginalized members of the community.
The bishops are encouraging the youth, in particular, to participate in this initiative. They suggest that the time typically spent on mobile apps could be redirected toward reading the Scriptures, attending the Stations of the Cross, or engaging in corporal works of mercy. The Church hopes that by “logging off” from the virtual world, the faithful can “log in” to a more profound experience of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.
As the forty days of Lent progress, the CBCP reminds the public that the ultimate goal of any fast—whether physical or digital—is conversion of heart. The invitation to observe a digital fast is a call to discipline the senses and prioritize the eternal over the ephemeral. By silencing the digital noise, the Church believes the Filipino faithful can find a renewed sense of peace and a clearer path toward spiritual renewal during this holiest time of the year.
With additional report: philstar.com
