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The Basilica of Guadalupe on the Internet: The Diffusion of Religious Practices in the Era of Information Technologies

TitleThe Basilica of Guadalupe on the Internet: The Diffusion of Religious Practices in the Era of Information Technologies
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsCarvajal, PIA
JournalRenglones, Revista Arbitrada en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades
Volume61
Pagination27-36
Date PublishedSeptember 2009
KeywordsBasilica of Guadalupe, Catholic Church, communication – group and community, information technologies, internet, media, religion, religious practices – diffusion
Abstract

This article discusses the use of new information technologies for the purpose of disseminating religious beliefs. It deals in particular with the web awareness strategy used by the Basilica of Guadalupe, a pioneering institution in the use of an Internet site for religious purposes in Mexico. The author examines the relationship between media and people, rituals and spaces involved in religious practices; he also gives an overview of the different communication models favored by the Catholic Church at different moments in the history of media. With a qualitative research method, using in–depth interviews as data collection tool, a semantic content analysis is performed, allowing identification of the main courses for the Basilica’s online awareness strategy. One conclusion is that the main use for the web site is broadcasting information and providing services to the faithful, which subordinates the religious message to the advantages and conditions imposed by the medium, as well as its specific hazards, from the emitter’s point of view. Given its relevance in Mexico, the communication strategy applied by the Basilica can shed light on the steps that other entities linked to the Catholic Church in this country could take in the future.

URLhttp://renglones.iteso.mx/upload/archivos/pablo_aburto.pdf