These guidelines ensure that all social media posts reflect the mission, values, and community spirit of the parish while maintaining respect, legality, and appropriateness.

Nature of Posts

Content Focus: Posts must center on parish life, Catholic faith, celebrations (e.g., liturgical seasons, feast days), and local parish events (e.g., Masses, retreats, community service).
Engagement: Encourage posts that foster community engagement, such as event invitations, prayer requests, or reflections on Catholic teachings relevant to parish activities.
Relevance: Avoid off-topic content unrelated to parish mission or Catholic values to maintain a cohesive online presence.

Reason: Ensures alignment with the parish's spiritual and communal objectives, keeping posts meaningful and relevant to followers.

No Images or Identifying Information: Do not post photos, videos, or any identifiable information (e.g., names, likeness) of minors under 18, even with parental consent, to prioritize safety and privacy.
Event Photos: For group event photos, ensure minors are not identifiable (e.g., use wide shots or blur faces if necessary).
Safeguarding Compliance: Adhere to diocesan safeguarding policies when planning content involving minors.

Reason: Protects minors from potential online risks and aligns with legal and diocesan safeguarding standards.

Written Consent: Obtain explicit written permission from individuals before posting interviews, testimonials, or personal stories. Use a standardized consent form if possible.
Clarity: Inform individuals how their content will be used (e.g., platforms, purpose) and allow them to review the post before publishing.
Record Keeping: Maintain a record of consents for accountability, stored securely per data protection regulations.

Reason: Ensures respect for personal privacy and compliance with data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, if applicable).

Neutrality: Prohibit posts promoting personal agendas, political opinions, candidates, or commercial businesses, including fundraising for non-parish causes unless approved by parish leadership.
Parish-Endorsed Content: Only promote events, initiatives, or organizations explicitly endorsed by the parish or diocese.
Conflict of Interest: Team members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest when suggesting content.

Reason: Maintains the parish’s neutrality and focus on spiritual mission, avoiding division or inappropriate endorsements.

Tone: Use language that is respectful, inclusive, and reflective of Catholic values. Avoid sarcasm, humor that could be misinterpreted, or any form of abusive, offensive, or divisive language.
Moderation: Monitor comments on posts and remove inappropriate content promptly, responding with charity when addressing issues.
Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of diverse audiences, ensuring language respects cultural and religious sensitivities.

Reason: Upholds the parish’s reputation and fosters a welcoming online community aligned with Christian principles.

Original or Public Domain: Use content created by the team or sourced from the public domain. Verify public domain status to avoid unintentional copyright violations.
Licensing: For third-party content (e.g., music, images), ensure proper licensing (e.g., Creative Commons) and provide attribution where required.
Parish Branding: Ensure all content aligns with parish branding guidelines (e.g., logos, colors) for consistency.

Reason: Prevents legal issues and maintains ethical standards in content creation and sharing.