Where is the Church?

Five months ago, in April, when almost the entire planet was “locked down,” the question “Where is the Church?” reverberated in the social media.

Underneath the question, of course, is the assumption that the Catholic Church is nowhere to be found during this pandemic.

In response, Catholics of all stripes and colors bombarded social media with pictures of how the Church is helping the needy during the pandemic.

In fact, some even placed the cost of the Church’s charitable activities into billions of pesos! I think it was a time when every good Catholic worth his/her salt stood with head up high, knowing that the Church is truly present and alive.

The message was clear the Church is there with the needy, helping them during this precarious time of the pandemic.

Just like anything else in social media, the “netizens” got bored with the issue “Where is the Church?” and they moved on with other topics and interests.

Now, entering into the sixth month of the pandemic, the Church continues to make itself present through various online masses, online recollections, online rosaries, and online catechesis, among many other online activities that the creative Catholic minds can conceive.

It is as if the Church has now found its new niche, the internet.

I have the impression that some believed that by being online with all these online activities will make the Church closer to the people.

Just look at the social media account of any Catholic parish or Diocese, you will see that these have been busy, super busy with online activities.

The number of views and reach of their social media posts has become the means of validation for some.

But the question remains, where is the Church?

I am not asking this question from a theological point of view because theologians and philosophers would undoubtedly offer us myriads of theological treatises and philosophical thoughts.

I think when the netizens asked this question in April, almost an eternity away in terms of social media interest, what they were asking for is not a theological explanation, which many of the young no longer believe in the first place.

I would like to interpret that when they asked, “Where is the Church?” they were asking for the presence and relevance of the Church to what is happening. They were not looking for another navel-gazing reflections from theological and philosophical experts.

They were asking for a relevant Church!

Nowadays, netizens love “challenges” just look at the YouTube channels of famous Filipino social media influencers. They have challenges of all sorts like “Dyowa for the Day Challenge,” “Mukbhang Challenge,” “Can’t Say No Challenge,” among many other challenges.

I think the “Where is the Church?” question was a “challenge” from the netizens for the Church, whether it is walking its talk.

Unfortunately, at this time of the pandemic, when I think we are already in the deep blue sea, I cannot see the question “Where is the Church?” anymore.

I would prefer to see this question puffed out again in the social media.

The reason is that when people are no longer looking for the Church during this time when infection cases have risen, it may indicate that the Church is no longer relevant to the situation.

No one is looking for the Church now.

Is the Church becoming irrelevant to the present public discourse on the pandemic?

The fact that there is no more “Where is the Church?” question is two-edged.

It might mean that the people recognized that the Church has no “expertise” in the area of public health, which is true.

Or, it might also mean that in this dangerous time, the people do not look into the Church as solace anymore.

Or, maybe some looked for solace in the people of the Church but got no concrete answer.

Those who want a less visible and more “contemplative” Church might claim that the Church is still there, but it is working in silence.

Well, we can always choose to think about what we want to think about. If that is the case for them, then let it be.

However, I would like to see the other side of things.

For example, how many clamored for the “live” celebration of the Mass because they knew that it is “essential”?

There was a deafening silence with the exemptions of very rare few.

You may say that well; they are watching online. It is for their safety among many other reasons. Well, granted without conceding.

Sadly, I find this negative because whether we admit it or not, the Mass now has become something that we just watch.

I think the adverse “side effect” of having too many online Masses is that it reduced the Mass to become just another “show” to watch.

So, I will give credit to those social media savvy and creative Catholic minds in providing the faithful with “Catholic online entertainment,” “Catholic online education,” and even a “sacramental” (although virtual) experience during this pandemic.

Maybe one of these online channels will become the next EWTN, or maybe one of those who are always in the social media will become the next Fulton Sheen.

But the question remains, where is the Church?

PS. And I am not looking for a theological or philosophical answer…

(Picture: The rear view of the Aya Sofia (Hagia Sophia) in Istanbul, Turkey)

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