Why Church Social Media Accounts Are So Important

We can’t just lean on Catholic influencers to carry the load of sharing valuable, inspiring content online. As much as I love seeing their work, parishes and dioceses should be at the heart of this space, too.

After all, that’s where we actually gather every Sunday, so why wouldn’t we gather there online?

Good parish and diocesan content isn’t just about sharp photography and clean graphics (though that definitely matters). What really makes a difference is content that does one or more of these things:

• Teaches and explains the Faith in a clear, approachable way.
• Makes Catholicism practical for people who are trying to live it out in the middle of life’s struggles. 
• Creates moments where people feel like the highs and lows of their faith journeys and lives are seen and understood. 
• Stops the scroll because it sparks reflection and maybe even nudges someone to go offline and live their faith more fully.
• Makes parish staff and volunteers the influencers, helping new or returning parishioners feel instantly connected when they recognize familiar faces.

That’s the goal. That’s what we need to see more of.

Here are the five parish and diocese Instagram accounts that are showing us how it needs to be done.

Best Overall: Diocese of Orange

https://www.instagram.com/orangediocese/

This account has been one of my favorites for a while. They have such high-quality design, great photography, and a robust mix of posts. The calendar is varied (which we always recommend) with content that promotes events, creates informative videos, involves their parishioners in content, and brings their unique take on current events or Catholic holidays.

They also focus on posting carousels, which is an easy way to improve your engagement and further tell a story through images.

Overall, their posts focus on the small but meaningful moments at their parish events, and it shows in all of their content. Scrolling through their feed, I can’t help but feel the joy and sense of community.

How they’re different: Their photography and video prioritizes candid pictures, joyful moments, and a really specific subject. Instead of a posed group photo at an event, they have a carousel where each photo focuses on a different person or small groups of people.

If I were manager: The one thing I’d recommend is more evangelical content that’s breaking down the Faith and making it relatable to the everyday.

Best Graphics and Carousels:  Christ the King Denver

https://www.instagram.com/ctk.catholic/

This account has graphics you want to keep staring at. They’ve done a great job of creating eye-catching carousels that are also informative. Visually, the content keeps up with trending styles. This can’t be taken for granted because it keeps content fresh and builds trust with those who are chronically online, since they’ll immediately write off outdated styles. Their content has increasingly added evangelical and explanatory posts, which is great to see!

How they’re different: The graphics are of the same quality and trendiness as the most popular secular graphics. It captures your eye before you even realize it’s Catholic, and that’s when we have the opportunity to give the audience something practical to use.

If I were manager: I’d push the content even further. More posts that give quick guides to the Sacraments or tips to deepen faith, more original parish photography instead of stock, and more videos featuring priests or staff.

Best Variety: Archdiocese of Cincinnati

https://www.instagram.com/catholicaoc/

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is clearly putting in the work to create content that actually makes an impact. Their content is consistent, they prioritize their own photography, content design is nice, and they’re incorporating more Reels. This should be the new minimum expectation for parish and diocesan social media that is achievable with intentional effort.

How they’re different: While their posts may still have the same content as a lot of other accounts, they put in the effort to make it visually interesting, and they’re actively working on growing their practical posts and diocese-specific content.

If I were manager: I’d ensure the posting is consistent and sustainable, and then level up all the content up with more diocese-specific photography for graphics, video, and practical content.

Best Video: St. Michael’s Abbey

https://www.instagram.com/st.michaelsabbey

This account has done a great job with the topics they’re covering in their Reels. One priest serves as the primary face of videos, which can help lukewarm or new Catholics feel more comfortable returning to Mass if there is now a person they recognize at Mass. They tackle hot topics like political statements or give the Catholic view of trends like manifestation or crystals, while also explaining holidays and addressing feelings we all have, like being stuck.

How they’re different: Their videos touch on deeper parts of the Faith and often make them practical and easy to understand, like “4 Elements of a Good Confession,” “Five Things Every Catholic Should Know About the Papacy,” or answering audience questions like “What is Heaven Like?”

If I were manager: I’d increase the video frequency from once or twice a month to once or twice a week, even if it means an iPhone video instead of high-quality camera video. I’d also create specific covers for each Reel to avoid the auto-cover choosing a weird expression on the speaker’s face with a closed caption that doesn’t explain what the video is about. I’d either choose a different still from the video, or upload a custom one if there aren’t any good options.

Rising Star: Diocese of Arlington

https://www.instagram.com/arlingtonchurch/

This account is really leaning into video, and it’s paying off. They post priest conversations, diocesan tours, homily clips, and topical videos. You can tell they’re experimenting and prioritizing video, and it’s working. They have great photos of the diocese as well!

How they’re different: They’ve assigned one person to be on camera and help increase their video production while testing different styles and topics.

If I were manager: I’d make a video schedule for consistency, add more parishioner and event photos, and include more explanatory videos tackling hot topics or everyday struggles.

Honorable (Biased) Mention: Diocese of Providence (wink)

https://www.instagram.com/dioceseofprovidence

I loved collaborating with the Diocese of Providence to bring evangelical and explanatory content to their content calendar. They’ve embraced video, given us creative freedom, and really leaned into content for lukewarm Catholics. Our posts have addressed misconceptions and daily struggles, and shown that the Faith is actually relevant to everyday life.

While the diocese focuses on posting event photos, local updates, and prayer initiatives, we have added in posts that make faith practical.

We’ve addressed topics like Catholic teaching on immigration, what to do when God feels silent, where to go with questions about the Faith, how to match your love language with a prayer type, what the pope does, how to trust that prayer works when it’s been a while, and how some saints also didn’t think church was for them.

Check out the impact in our Diocese of Providence Case Study!

Conclusion 

These accounts show that parish and diocesan social media can be more than just pretty photos or event announcements. When done thoughtfully, it teaches the Faith, meets people where they are, and inspires action in a parishioner needing encouragement or a lukewarm Catholic scrolling past.

The key is intentionality: Every post, video, or carousel should have a purpose, tell a story, or spark reflection. If your parish or diocese can create content that educates, encourages, and connects, you’re not just filling a feed, but building a community online that mirrors the one gathering in pews every Sunday.

What parish and diocese social accounts inspire you? Join the conversation! Shoot us an email at info@yellowlinedigital.com and follow us on LinkedIn.