Catholic bishops in the Philippines have urged the faithful to practice “digital media fasting” during Lent, reframing the traditional discipline of fasting to include a critical examination of technology use.
In a pastoral letter titled “Fasting Beyond Food: Inviting Christ into Digital Media Use,” the bishops said fasting today must respond to “the new realities shaping human life,” particularly the pervasive influence of digital media.
“As we approach the holy season of Lent 2026, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) invites all the faithful to renew their hearts through prayer, fasting, and works of mercy,” the bishops said.
While affirming the traditional practice of abstaining from food, the letter stresses that true fasting goes deeper than external observance.
“In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that fasting is not for show but an intimate offering to God, who sees what is done in secret and rewards sincerity of heart,” the bishops said.
They noted that constant engagement with digital platforms has reshaped daily life and often weakens spiritual focus.
“Today, constant engagement with phones, social media, streaming, gaming, and online entertainment often absorbs our attention and weakens our interior life,” the statement read.
The bishops described excessive media use as a growing concern, warning that it can lead to “distraction, fatigue, loss of focus, weakened relationships, and diminished spiritual awareness.”
They added that “constant connectivity leaves little room for silence and reflection.”
The pastoral letter emphasizes that authentic fasting is rooted in interior conversion.
“True fasting, as Jesus teaches, is not an external performance but an interior conversion,” the bishops said. “It is not meant to punish the body but to free the heart.”
They clarified that technology itself is not the problem, calling it “a blessing when used responsibly,” but said digital media fasting is necessary to restore balance. “Digital media fasting helps restore balance and reminds us that technology must serve human life—not dominate it.”
According to the bishops, the discipline is not simply about giving something up. “Digital media fasting is not simply about giving something up. It is about making room for something better.”
By limiting digital consumption, the faithful can create space “for prayer, reading Scriptures, Eucharistic devotion, works of mercy, and meaningful encounters with others.”
The bishops added that “fasting redirects attention from self-centered habits to the loving service of others. It is not deprivation but transformation.”
The CBCP proposed concrete practices, including avoiding phone use before sleep and upon waking, limiting social media and streaming time, observing device-free meals and gatherings, practicing occasional 24-hour or weekend digital fasts, removing distracting apps, and replacing screen time with prayer, service, reading, or conversation.
In its final exhortation, the bishops encouraged Catholics to approach Lent with hope.
“The Lord calls us to fast not with gloomy faces but with joyful hearts seeking renewal,” the letter states. “In stepping back from digital excess, we reclaim interior silence, deepen relationships, and rediscover God’s presence in daily life.”
“May Christ renew us in faith, hope, and love,” it concludes.
