THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THEORY - PRACTICE - PERSPECTIVES.

The great popularity and extraordinary possibilities the Internet offers people in the field of information and communication, have made the Internet the subject of the Church's in-depth reflection as an important tool in broadly understood pastoral activities. This article contains a discussion of the effects of this observation and demonstrates how the Church uses the Internet and all Information and Communications Technology. Finally, we will indicate the positive aspects and difficulties facing the Church now operating in the Digital Age. Research clearly shows that the modern Church must use the Internet if it wants to meet people, be close to them and reach them with information. The Church must so consciously and skillfully - taking into account anthropological conditions and the nature of media, including theological premises. An important conclusion emerging from the research is a decisive "no!" concerning various forms of e-Church. The Church's opening up to ICT does not mean consent to transferring its activities onto the Internet. Ecclesiastical relationships are always interpersonal relationships: human-human and Divine-human. The Church - even a synodal one - is a community of persons, not an online discussion group or followers of the Pope, bishop, other pastor or influencer identifying with the Church. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]