Abstract
Youth is ambitious and dynamic and, in addition, represents the future generations. However, their needs, habits and daily practices are particularly different from previous ones. Emphasizing this generational gap is technology and the current digitalization scenario that this youth has been born in. How, then, is the Catholic Church approaching younger individuals? The objective of this research is therefore to analyze the different practises, initiatives and resources, both offline and online, from religious diocesis with the aim to ultimately understand the current needs of the Catholic youth in the digital era in Spain, mainly accentuated due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The investigation followed a five-step methodology. Initially, a literature review was developed. This was followed by a survey answered by religious entities as well as young people in order to achieve quantitative data. In depth interviews and a focus group were conducted as part of the qualitative data research . Finally, a netnography analysis allowed us to compile and gather all of the mapped initiatives. All in all, religious communities are becoming a bridge to cross gaps by empowering young people and approaching them and their interests under the context of religion and faith formation. The result is in the empowerment of the youth under exceptional circumstances: the digital scenario. At the same time, this state of affairs will provide a tool of communication that has led to an exceptional opportunity for dialogue and new ways of faith transmission between youth and religious communities.
Presenters
Sílvia PascualResearch Assistant, Blanquerna Observatory on Media, Religion and Culture, Barcelona, Spain Adriana Chiva Polvillo
Researcher, Blanquerna Observatory on Media, Religion and Culture, Spain Míriam Díez Bosch
Ramon Llull University
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Religious Community and Socialization
KEYWORDS
Youth, Catholicism, Spain, Digitization
