mobile.uk.msn.com/device/tech/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=8499875
pa.press.net
Jan 24 2011
Pope Benedict XVI has called on
Catholics to be respectful when
using the internet to promote
religion
The pope has warned Catholics
to be respectful when using the
internet to promote religion.
The pope has warned Catholics
to be respectful when using the
internet to promote religion.
He told bloggers and Facebook
and YouTube users not to see
their ultimate goal as getting as
many online hits as possible.
In his annual message for the
church's World Day of Social
Communications, the pope called
for the faithful to adopt a
"Christian style presence" online
that is responsible, honest and
discreet.
"We must be aware that the
truth which we long to share
does not derive its worth from
its 'popularity' or from the
amount of attention it receives,"
he wrote. "The proclamation of
the Gospel requires a
communication which is at once
respectful and sensitive."
The pope did not name anyone,
but the head of the Vatican's
social communications office,
Archbishop Claudio Celli, said it
would not be incorrect to direct
his exhortation to some
conservative Catholic blogs,
YouTube channels and sites
which, with some vehemence,
criticise bishops, public officials
and policies they consider not
Catholic enough.
"The risk is there, there's no
doubt," Archbishop Celli said. He
noted that the Pontifical Council
for Social Communications was
working on a set of guidelines
with recommendations for
appropriate style and behaviour
for Catholics online.
In his message, the pope echoed
many of the same themes he
has voiced in years past about
the benefits and dangers of the
digital age, saying social
networks are a wonderful way
to build relationships and
community. But he warned
against replacing real
friendships with virtual ones
and the temptation to create
artificial public profiles rather
than authentic ones.
"There exists a Christian way of
communication which is honest
and open, responsible and
respectful of others," he wrote.
"To proclaim the Gospel through
the new media means not only
to insert expressly religious
content into different media
platforms, but also to witness
consistently, in one's own digital
profile and in the way one
communicates choices,
preference and judgments that
are fully consistent with the
Gospel."
The 83-year-old pope is no
techno wizard: He writes
longhand and has admitted to a
certain lack of internet
knowledge within the Vatican.
But under him the Holy See has
greatly increased its presence
online: It has a dedicated
YouTube channel, and its
Pope2You.net portal gives news
on the pontiff's trips and
speeches and features iPhone
and Facebook applications that
allow users to send postcards
with photos of the pope and
excerpts from his messages to
their friends.
pa.press.net
Jan 24 2011
Pope Benedict XVI has called on
Catholics to be respectful when
using the internet to promote
religion
The pope has warned Catholics
to be respectful when using the
internet to promote religion.
The pope has warned Catholics
to be respectful when using the
internet to promote religion.
He told bloggers and Facebook
and YouTube users not to see
their ultimate goal as getting as
many online hits as possible.
In his annual message for the
church's World Day of Social
Communications, the pope called
for the faithful to adopt a
"Christian style presence" online
that is responsible, honest and
discreet.
"We must be aware that the
truth which we long to share
does not derive its worth from
its 'popularity' or from the
amount of attention it receives,"
he wrote. "The proclamation of
the Gospel requires a
communication which is at once
respectful and sensitive."
The pope did not name anyone,
but the head of the Vatican's
social communications office,
Archbishop Claudio Celli, said it
would not be incorrect to direct
his exhortation to some
conservative Catholic blogs,
YouTube channels and sites
which, with some vehemence,
criticise bishops, public officials
and policies they consider not
Catholic enough.
"The risk is there, there's no
doubt," Archbishop Celli said. He
noted that the Pontifical Council
for Social Communications was
working on a set of guidelines
with recommendations for
appropriate style and behaviour
for Catholics online.
In his message, the pope echoed
many of the same themes he
has voiced in years past about
the benefits and dangers of the
digital age, saying social
networks are a wonderful way
to build relationships and
community. But he warned
against replacing real
friendships with virtual ones
and the temptation to create
artificial public profiles rather
than authentic ones.
"There exists a Christian way of
communication which is honest
and open, responsible and
respectful of others," he wrote.
"To proclaim the Gospel through
the new media means not only
to insert expressly religious
content into different media
platforms, but also to witness
consistently, in one's own digital
profile and in the way one
communicates choices,
preference and judgments that
are fully consistent with the
Gospel."
The 83-year-old pope is no
techno wizard: He writes
longhand and has admitted to a
certain lack of internet
knowledge within the Vatican.
But under him the Holy See has
greatly increased its presence
online: It has a dedicated
YouTube channel, and its
Pope2You.net portal gives news
on the pontiff's trips and
speeches and features iPhone
and Facebook applications that
allow users to send postcards
with photos of the pope and
excerpts from his messages to
their friends.
