Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Stranded OFWs charge their phones through an extension cord shared by a worker of a digital billboard just outside the NAIA Termina 3 on June 11, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177130747109820200611-covid-19-naia-stranded-ofws-GC-4014.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Stranded OFWs charge their phones through an extension cord shared by a worker of a digital billboard just outside the NAIA Termina 3 on June 11, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has invited the faithful to undertake a digital media fasting in preparation for the Lenten season. </p><p>CBCP said fasting must also address “new realities shaping human life” in present time, including digital media.</p><p>Traditionally, the church has defined fasting as abstaining from consuming food as an act of repentance and spiritual focus.</p><p>But CBCP said fasting also means “detaching from whatever distracts our hearts from God,” including constant engagement with phones, social media, streaming, gaming, and online entertainment, which it noted, absorb a person’s attention and weaken the interior life.</p><p>“True fasting, as Jesus teaches, is not an external performance but an interior conversion. Digital media fasting, therefore, invites a rediscovery of silence, prayer, contemplation, and authentic relationships,” it said in a statement.</p><p>“It is not meant to punish the body but to free the heart,” it added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/26/lenten-traditions-how-filipinos-observe-holy-week-1758">Lenten traditions: How Filipinos observe Holy Week<br/></a></div><p>CBCP, while recognizing responsible use of technology as a blessing, underscored that excessive use often leads to distraction, fatigue, loss of focus, weakened relationships, and diminished spiritual awareness.</p><p>It pointed that “(m)any struggle to be present to God and others because screens constantly demand attention.”</p><p>“Digital media fasting helps restore balance and reminds us that technology must serve human life—not dominate it,” it said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>HOW TO DO IT</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177130761045720190220-commuters-phone-GC-7198.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A commuter uses his mobile phone&#x27;s camera to communicate face to face with on the other end at a busy intersection in Mandaluyong on Wednesday. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/FILE</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Digital media fasting may be practiced by 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.</p><p>CBCP highlighted that digital media fasting is “not deprivation but transformation,” as it creates time for prayer, reading Scriptures, Eucharistic devotions, works of mercy, and meaningful encounters with others.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Other fruits of digital media fasting, according to CBCP, are the following:</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>• A deeper relationship with God through renewed prayer</p><p>• Greater mental clarity and focus</p><p>• Emotional peace through freedom from constant stimulation</p><p>• Improved rest and renewed physical energy</p><p>• Stronger family and community relationships</p><p>• Renewed appreciation of creation and real-life encounters</p><div><br/></div><p>“The Lord calls us to fast not with gloomy faces but with joyful hearts seeking renewal. In stepping back from digital excess, we reclaim interior silence, deepen relationships, and rediscover God’s presence in daily life,” CBCP said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/14/filipino-catholics-begin-lent-by-having-foreheads-marked-with-ash-1629">Filipino Catholics begin Lent by having foreheads marked with ash</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong><strong>:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jy_ZFMPrKok?si=YH9CeyDFq8ZmFvMa" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>CBCP said fasting must also address “new realities shaping human life” in present time, including digital media.</p>

CBCP said fasting must also address “new realities shaping human life” in present time, including digital media.

'Rediscovery of silence': CBCP urges faithful to do 'digital media fasting' for Lent

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'Rediscovery of silence': CBCP urges faithful to do 'digital media fasting' for Lent

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 17, 2026 01:57 PM PHT

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Roman Catholic

Lent season

fasting

digital media

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