Digitalizing Grief: A Filipino Catholic Perspective
摘要
In the Philippines, grieving a loved one is usually a very elaborate affair, involving not just the immediate family but the wider community. In this process of grief, religious practices play an essential role in accompanying and comforting those in mourning, easing their pain and sorrow with hope in the life to come. With the advent of modernity, traditional practices have gradually evolved in keeping with the changing times and evolving technology. This digitalization of grief brings a unique aspect, especially as it offers the alternative of a remote modality to an otherwise very intimate experience. Meanwhile, the current official teaching of the Catholic Church appears to be ambivalent if not outright negative about online religious practices, presenting a potential disconnection with this ongoing development. This essay reflects on the experience of digital grief and how it is transforming traditional Filipino Catholic grief practices vis-à-vis the official stance of the Catholic Church in search of ways to move forward.