DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA RESPONDS TO HOSTILE INTERACTIONS AND VIOLENT, DEGRADING ATTACKS FROM EXTREMIST GROUPS
The Holy See’s Dicastery for Communications recently issued a warning to all Catholics to avoid uncharitable and abusive usage of social media. See: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/dpc/documents/20230528_dpc-verso-piena-presenza_en.html
Unfortunately, this has become a problem in the Diocese of Parramatta as shown by recent actions of some extremist individuals and groups.
Our Catholics schools and agencies deserve our full support and encouragement. Instead, they are receiving vitriolic harassment. It will not be tolerated.
Certainly, there is room in the Church for free speech and much encounter and dialogue. But that does not mean tolerating abusive and slanderous language.
The faithful of the Diocese needs to be aware that the Diocese will cease all communication with any groups that threaten, harass and use ‘warrior’ language to intimidate their fellow Catholics.
The recent Vatican document calls on us all to be Good Samaritans and “to make social media a more human and relational space.”
As urged by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, let’s become a Synodal church and firmly reject the extremism and anti-Gospel aggression of isolated misguided groups on social media.
Very Rev Peter G. Williams AM
Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia
