Abstract:
The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged traditional pastoral listening practices, demanding a rapid adaptation to the online environment. This study stems from the author's experience, deeply immersed in the world of pastoral listening since his academic formation to his professional career. Over the years, he has learned valuable lessons about the importance of listening and witnessed its impact on people's lives. However, the pandemic brought about the need to rethink these practices for a virtual context, leading the author to return to academia in search of understanding and adaptation. Online listening has emerged as a necessary response to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, exploring new modalities of emotional and spiritual support. Inspired by Zygmunt Bauman's theory of liquid modernity, the study seeks to understand how religious communities have adapted to this new digital context. Bauman argues that liquid modernity is characterized by the fragility of human relationships, making authentic listening an important necessity to maintain emotional and spiritual support in an increasingly digital environment. The research focuses on the analysis of the "Covid-19 Support Network," an initiative that provided emotional support and guidance to those affected by the pandemic. By examining how this network integrated technological resources, identifying strategies and challenges, the study seeks to better understand the new roles assumed by the church amidst the health crisis. Furthermore, it investigates the perceptions and experiences of individuals who sought support within the network, evaluating the positive and negative impacts on their emotional and mental well-being. Specific research objectives include analyzing the strategies for integrating technological resources by the network, identifying challenges faced by religious communities in implementing online listening, examining strategies to promote authentic listening in a digital environment, and proposing practical recommendations to improve online listening in religious communities. Ultimately, the research aims to promote a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to mental health care, empowering religious communities to thrive and play a significant role in people's lives in an ever-changing society. By exploring the nuances of online listening and its impact on religious communities, the study seeks to offer practical guidance to address the challenges of today's digital world with compassion, empathy, and resilience.
