Digital Media Utilization by Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri Our Lady Consolata Parish Cathedral for Evangelization During Covid-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected religious practices globally, with physical gatherings and meetings being limited or completely halted. This has resulted in a shift towards the utilization of digital media as a tool for evangelism. This study examines how the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri has utilized digital media platforms for evangelization during the pandemic. Tied on New Media Theory, this study came up with three objectives. First, to explore how Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri utilized digital media to reach its congregants during the COVID19 pandemic. Secondly, to examine the views of congregants of Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri regarding the adoption and utilization of digital media for evangelization during the COVID -19 pandemic. Thirdly to establish challenges experienced by congregants and the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri regarding the use of digital media for evangelization during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study employed the explanatory sequential mixed methods design whereby the questionnaire and interviews were used. The study established that the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri can do better to improve its use of digital media for evangelization during situations of pandemics such as COVID-19, respondents called for better technical support to ensure uninterrupted communication, more interactive digital content for them to feel more involved and for more varied content formats. A notable gap in the Archdiocese's digital media strategy is the absence of comprehensive communication policies and resource toolkits specifically designed for digital media evangelization. The study recommends that there should be clear governing policies and guidelines in radio, print, social media, and other communication channels.