Days after finding itself the target of an online smear campaign, the Redemptorist-run National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran has appealed to netizens worldwide to be responsible users of social media even as they exercise their right to free expression.
"We are in no way questioning the grace of God giving the opportunity for us all to broadcast our opinions and observations, but may we be reminded not leave out our sense of social responsibility," shrine spokespersons said in an open letter through their Social Mission Team.
The shrine also grabbed the opportunity to defend Jenny Arteta whose viral update on March 1 about an unverified incident unfavorable to its image sparked a Facebook "word war," which took on a life of its own and backfired on her.
"We urge the public to stop sentiments of invectiveness on Ms. Jenny as she is our sister and belongs to the household of God," it added.
As a sign of goodwill, Arteta visited the national shrine March 5 to dialogue with its representatives as well as to express contrition for the mishap.