Priests as Social Media Influencers? A Study on the Lived Experiences of Select Bulacan Clergy’s Engagement in Social Media

Abstract

A good number of priests from the Diocese of Malolos have joined the fray of so-called “Catholic influencers” who utilize social media to preach and evangelize. This study explores the lived experiences of select priests with significant social media followings. Utilizing the indigenous Filipino method of pagtatanong-tanong, the priests’ motivations, strategies, and challenges they face as digital content creators were probed. Findings show priests on social media craft their authenticity through a blend of personal identity and religious authority, positioning them as hybrid social media personalities. This allows them to conduct a mediated ministry and reach a larger audience. The content they produce contributes positively to the mediatization of religion, enabling Church teachings to be more accessible to a younger, more tech-savvy audience. The priests’ social media presence expands their spiritual outreach and reshapes how religion is perceived in the digital space.