CNA STAFF, Jan 5, 2010 / 02:09 am (CNA).- A new Catholic social networking website named Zoogle is claiming that a “new era” in mass communications gives the Church an opportunity to bypass a “media blackout” as older media outlets and first generation websites lose influence to social networks like MySpace and Facebook.

“The newspaper giants of yesteryear who shaped public opinion in every area of life are now dinosaurs in demise,” Zoogle said in a press release. “It is precisely in this flux of disruptive technologies and dynastic destruction that we locate the Church's greatest opportunity in post-modern times.”

Zoogle.com says it aims to help Catholics socialize and evangelize, giving the Church a platform in the easily accessible medium of the internet. The website aims to link the “global physical network of the Church” with a virtual social network monitored by cardinals and bishops.

“Zoogle offers the Church the opportunity to be at the forefront of the next generation of mass communications media while sharing her message of salvation and the means of sanctification with hundreds of millions of people on a 24/7 basis,” the press release says.

The website also explains that it will help parishes, Catholic organizations and charities gain exposure and earn more revenue.

Zoogle reports that it has the support of Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez and other Catholic bishops.

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