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Pope calls for Internet evangelists

Comments: 10

Pope Benedict XVI

Message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI to the Young People of the World on the Occasion of the XXIII World Youth Day, 2008
To the beloved people of Australia and to the young pilgrims taking part in World Youth Day 2008
Welcoming Celebration by the Young People Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI
Meeting with a group of disadvantaged young people of the rehabilitation community of the University of Notre Dame in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Sydney

Vatican City, May 20, 2009 / 11:21 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI is calling upon young people to evangelize using the Internet as the Church prepares to celebrate the World Day for Social Communications.

At the end of his Wednesday general audience, the Holy Father launched an appeal asking that cyberspace be a place that promotes a "culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth, harmony and understanding can flourish."

Speaking English, the Holy Father recalled how in his message for this year's celebrations, "I am inviting all those who make use of the new technologies of communication, especially the young, to utilize them in a positive way and to realize the great potential of these means to build up bonds of friendship and solidarity that can contribute to a better world.

"Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world!" the Pope urged.

"Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God’s infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!"

The World Day for Social Communications will be held on Sunday, May 24 this year.

Comments: 10

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Ian
Pearl City, HI 05/29/2009 04:37 AM EST

I think this is a wonderful idea. Nowadays, we have so much technology but we don't use it to its fullest potential. What better way to promote the Gospel on the Internet?

One thing that is very important is that we have to be strongly grounded in our Catholic faith, and that we maintain a daily prayer life, as well as having the proper religious education. Catholic.com is an excellent website for some resources.

In response to Ed about spending time with nature and books, that is also a good idea. Technology can be distracting. But the Internet is the "streets" of technology. We are called to proclaim the Gospel in the streets, to be active contemplatives.

Sounds like you should be a monk, Ed, spending time in contemplation. Nothing wrong with that...

Praise God, now and forever!

Published by: mtutu dismas
dodoma tz 05/26/2009 10:30 AM EST

here we are, yes it is time to make use of this new evention to reveal the father above the source of all.sure, not matter of visiting friends and earthly matter but rather using this technology santify the world. Big up holly father

Published by: Mrs. Rene O'Riordan
Dublin 16 05/26/2009 09:24 AM EST

I'v been using my facebook for exactly that purpose. So me and the Pope are yet again in complete agreement!!! - blessings - Rene

Published by: Leticia Velasquez
Canterbury, CT 05/21/2009 01:05 PM EST

Since 2006 I have tried to respond to the call to promote a Culture of Life with my blogs. Now, I'm doing the same on Twitter and Facebook.
Thank you Holy Father for your encouragement.

Published by: Kay
US 05/21/2009 12:56 PM EST

This is an excellent idea. Practicing Catholics need to get out there and active on the internet. Start webpages, set up chat communities that support moral and sound teaching. I also advocate practicing Catholics get into politics and positions of local authority (school boards, town boards, city council chairs, etc.). That is how society has become so disturbing. Too many people in power who do not have proper moral judgment and just do whatever extremist activists tell them to do. We need people with a firm ground on morality and faith to help run the country.

Published by: Ed
chicago, IL 05/21/2009 12:29 PM EST

This world has to many distractions, like all the new technology that we have and is constantly changing. We get distrated and forget about our Lord, or use technology to much and drain our energies to be spent at the church. Technology is good, but too many people are tempted to use it the wrong way. I think that we sould spend more time in nature or books, than spending to much time in electrical de-vices.

Published by: Joseph Misango Magata
Tanzania 05/21/2009 09:44 AM EST

It remind me of his plea when he addressed world Bishops the moment he explained his remmittance of excommunication for Lefebvrist. The Holy father promised to adhere to internet as the reliable source information. Great our Holy Father.

Published by: Cló Mhuire
Ireland 05/21/2009 06:16 AM EST

The internet is a wonderful means of evangelisation. A great message from Pope Benedict VXI whom we follow with joy!

Published by: John Sled
Toronto, Canada 05/20/2009 06:04 PM EST

A great Catholic, communication and media guru Marshall McLuhan, would no doubt counsel the same. We can't let a great new technology , as the priniting press did for the Reformation, put us at a disadvantage.

Published by: dAVID LARSEN
scituate Mass. USA 05/20/2009 03:25 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

I think that it is good to respond to these articles on this website.I think it is a form of evangelization. No one has to be perfectly theologically correct,just alive and caring in their responses to these articles.
A lot of responses on this website are from people who hate the Pope and Bishops and the Catholic church in general and they never hesitate to respond to CNA articles. I believe that they are searching for a more perfect kind of love.
Praise to the Pope for encouraging internet dialog and evangelization.

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