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The pope gives his blessing to the Net
Monday, May 13 2002
by Matthew Clark


In a message delivered on Sunday, Pope John Paul II gave his blessing to the
Internet, claiming it could be used as "a new forum for proclaiming the
Gospel."

In his weekly address from St. Peter's Square, the 81-year-old leader of the
Catholic Church told listeners that the Internet would be "a big new theme for
this year," and that "recent progress in communications and information have
presented the church with unheard-of possibilities for evangelism." 



"We have to become part of this modern and ever more finely woven web of
communication with realism and confidence, convinced that, if it is used
competently and with due responsibility, it can offer a sound opportunity for the
dissemination of the word of the Lord." 



These latest comments from the pontiff sit in contrast with comments he has made
in the past. In January the pope warned that Internet could be dangerous,
suggesting that the unregulated communications tool could demean human dignity.
"Despite its enormous potential for good, some of the degrading and damaging
ways in which the Internet can be used are already obvious to all, and public
authorities surely have a responsibility to guarantee that this marvellous
instrument serves the common good and does not become a source of harm," the
pope said on 22 January.



Earlier, in November 2001, the pope used e-mail to apologise to the victims of
sexual attacks by the clergy. 



Still, John Paul II, one of the most influential popes of the twentieth century,
has often been credited as being one of the most forward-looking leaders of the
Catholic Church in terms of technology. In the past he has embraced television,
radio, CDs and other modern technologies as tools to convey his message and the
message of the Roman Catholic Church. 



The Vatican's latest blessing for the Internet comes after the HREF="http://www.vatican.va">Vatican's Web site was nominated for a Webby
Award, one of the top awards in the industry. The Webby Awards will be presented
on 18 June 2002 at the California Palace of The Legion of Honor in San
Francisco.