The very first and most important utilization
of the Internet by the Church is in fulfillment
of its
primary mission – evangelization, the proclamation
of the Gospel. This point was highlighted in Pope
John Paul’s message for World Communications
Day – Sunday, May 12, 2002, the theme of which
is: “Internet, a New Forum for Proclaiming
the Gospel.” The Holy Father strongly exhorted
us: “For the Church, the new world of cyberspace
is a summons to the great adventure of using its
potential to proclaim the Gospel message.”
Our religious heritage speaks to the centrality of
communication. The communicative dysfunction and
separation of the human family are highlighted by
the Tower of Babel, which stands as an icon of misunderstanding
and isolation, carrying with it a sense of hopelessness.
This condition is reversed by the Incarnation and
revelation of the Paschal Mystery. On Pentecost,
which we just celebrated yesterday, the Spirit broke
through the confusion of multiple languages and its
one voice penetrated the hearts of all listeners,
creating a common life and a profound unity. The
Spirit was opening up the eyes of the human heart
to the revelation of Jesus, the Christ, the Anointed
One – who came to reveal to all men and women
that they are profoundly loved by God. It is God’s
deepest desire to share life with all forever. The
initiative of Jesus in coordination with the outpouring
of the Spirit is ultimately based on the internal
communication of love in the Trinity.
In discharging Christ’s command to proclaim
the Gospel to the ends of the world, his disciples
of every age have utilized available means of communication.
The spoken and written word and the multiple modes
of its expression has served as an invaluable vehicle
in fulfilling the mandate of Christ.
In the last 150 years, these foundational methods
of communication have been bolstered by electronic
machines – which are evolving in their capacity
and quality . . . from the telegraph to the telephone,
movies, the phonograph, radio, and television. And
now, as the digital age is being ushered in, the
Church welcomes computers and the Internet with all
their remarkable features – instantaneous,
immediate, inter-active, global, expansive in content
and outreach, ecologically friendly, decentralized,
flexible and adaptive, egalitarian. This welcoming
stance of the Church was clearly stated by Pope Pius
XII in the 1957 encyclical Miranda Prorsus, which
has been included in the 1971 Pastoral Instruction,
Communio et Progressio: “The Church sees these
media as ‘Gifts of God’ which, in accordance
with his providential design, unite with God’s
plan for our salvation.”
This position was underlined in three Internet-related
documents, which were published by the Holy See this
year. I strongly urge all of you to read them. They
extend an enthusiastic endorsement of the Internet,
encouraging its creative and wise utilization along
with a frank appraisal of the ethical challenges
that it poses.
The titles of the documents are:
I. The Church and Internet
II. Ethics In Internet
{Both published by the Pontifical Council for Social
Communications on February 22, 2002.}
III. Message of the Holy Father for the 36th World
Communications Day, May 12, 2002.
A recurring recommendation
in these documents is to formulate a pastoral plan
that would extensively
utilize the Internet in our mission of evangelization
and catechesis and also in the administration of
our dioceses, parishes, and institutions. It is my
conviction that we now have sufficient information
on and experience of the Internet phenomenon – that
we can move ahead full throttle in the exploration
and development of such a pastoral plan on diocesan,
regional, and national levels.
Because outreach through the Internet embraces so
many constituencies in our Church community, I believe
it would be advisable to explore its deployment and
the development of a pastoral plan from three perspectives,
thus incorporating a wide array of experts who would
contribute their gifts and talents to the work of
the Church.
My personal involvement in two separate parish building
projects during the last ten years has demonstrated
to me how the Church is blessed with a wealth of
such experts who are more than willing to help build
a state-of-the-art communications system anchored
by the Internet.
I experienced an evolution while working with these
two parishes. In the earlier project, the focus was
on the school and developing an education system
with the primary concern being technical in nature.
Only secondarily was attention given to the internal
administrative and communications operation of the
parish. There were initial conversations about a
possible parish website, and exploration of the uses
of the Internet for adult education was just beginning
to surface.
In the second parish, some four or five years later,
the website was immediately established being exclusively
constructed by volunteers. It quickly became a chief
source of information about the new parish, school,
and early childhood education center. As a matter
of fact, 40% of the new parishioners, which number
has grown to 2300 families, have registered via the
Web. Now, all sorts of updated data including the
weekly parish bulletin are regularly provided as
well as links to other websites for expanded contact.
The website is one of the mainstays for parish communication
in this young community, which parish has been described
with some measure of truth as having an average age
of four.
The school, early childhood education center, and
church internal management plans and their technology
components thereafter unfolded and were implemented.
Similar to the first parish, this was done in a highly
cost-effective fashion because of the remarkable
generosity of volunteers.
Developing a Pastoral Plan
In formulating a pastoral plan for Internet communication,
the three sectors of the volunteer base which could
bring invaluable expertise to the undertaking are:
1. The Techies – Technical Experts
2. The Evangelists – Those who fashion the
message
3. The Ethicists – Those who grapple with the
perils of the Internet
A. Techies or the Technical Experts:
We are blessed with a huge number of technically
skilled individuals in our congregations and dioceses
whom I have found to be more than willing to donate
their time and talent in designing systems that
serve the broader needs of parishes and the diocesan
community.
Such systems should strive to incorporate all the
parishes and schools in a diocese and thus be of
significant pooled benefit to all by virtue of efficiency
and reducing and in some cases eliminating expenses
that are attached to aging or outdated modes of communication.
A companion goal would be that in achieving efficient
management practices additional time and resources
are freed up for pastoral outreach.
A fundamental concern and oftentimes a roadblock
to development of technology is the cost involved.
A volunteer committee of “techies”, I
have found, with wide-ranging contacts is able to
reduce these expenses dramatically. While it is imperative
to move forward in this area, costs need to be monitored
carefully as well as an eye toward future cost reductions
which have occurred regularly as technology expands.
Timing is a key consideration.
Cost and incremental budget allotments must be integrated
into an overall plan that makes the conversion to
a more technologically efficient world possible.
During embryonic generations of technological development,
some Church institutions and dioceses were victims
of an overly aggressive approach that spelled economic
doom. Secondly, dioceses should explore teaming up
with organizations such as the Knights of Columbus
and other church-related and communications-oriented
foundations in addressing these costs. Combining
resources would serve the best interests of evangelization
and reaching the young coming of age in this new
century. Investment in this area is almost mandatory,
but as always, wise investment reflecting a commitment
to conscientious stewardship should characterize
our efforts.
B. The Evangelists: Those who Fashion the Message
From the Church’s perspective, the primary
use of the Internet is to be a means of proclamation
of the Gospel. Those involved with evangelization
and catechesis in a diocese should concentrate on
developing a site that would be attractive to a generation
that is hooked on the Internet and wishes to learn
more about Jesus Christ. Familiar with the culture,
its influences, its positives and negatives, persons
dedicated to this outreach could design highly compelling
sites that would respond to people’s hunger
for the Gospel. This service could be further enhanced
by links to sites that are carefully selected by
virtue of their information as well as appealing
presentation. Such resembles, in some respects, the
creation of a modern-day “areopagus” – our
following the lead of Paul, who introduced the Athenians
to the unknown God.
On the parish level, the Internet can have multiple
applications restricted only by one’s imagination.
For Instance, priests can go online via e-mail and
communicate a brief, inspirational thought or reflection
for each of the forty days of Lent. A group of individuals
can “converse” about the themes of Scripture
to aid the preacher in preparing a homily. Many have
been able to participate in a modified form in Ignation
Retreat Exercises because of the convenience of the
Internet.
In addition to fundamental evangelization and apologetics,
the site could be a resource for catechetical instruction
and enhancement of such programs as RCIA, sacramental
preparation, Befriender and pastoral outreach groups,
Bible study, etc. Calling on imagination and extensive
training, professional theologians and scholars could
develop a wide array of educational and formation
opportunities.
The demand and interest for this information is strong.
According to a recent survey released in December
by the Pew Internet and American Life Project – one
in four adults who surf the Internet are looking
for religious and spiritual material. The survey
found that those seeking spirituality on the Web
jumped in one year from 20 to 28 million. Elena Larson,
the report’s author and a Pew Research fellow,
noted: “The Internet fills many niches for
religious people.” As examples, she cited its
wide array of reference and educational material,
as well as being an inviting place for religious
minorities, new converts, and people who might be
shy facing others face to face.
A further service through the Internet might be the
development of a corps of highly trained and sensitive
communicators who would be willing to enter into
online dialogues with individuals about religious
issues including personal concerns. People are hungry
for personal contact – and the opportunity
to be in touch with and give growth to one’s
spiritual gifts is facilitated by the Internet. Distance,
space, and time considerations shrivel as impediments
in this forum of interaction.
Finally, information as to times and location of
services could be posted highlighting location so
that with the prospect of fewer priests, the faithful
may be made aware of nearby sacramental celebrations.
Accurate data with regard to diocesan policies and
events could be available with immediacy on a widespread
basis. This information service could also provide
announcements and times of talks, conventions, and
diocesan gatherings as well as the availability and
location of social services – e.g. Catholic
Charities, counseling, marriage prep sessions, youth
activities and gatherings, Catholic education and
formation opportunities. You can rest assured the
younger generation will be utilizing the Internet
to find answers to the probing questions of religion
as well as organizing their lives in the practice
of the faith. We need to meet them at the cyberspace
crossroads.
C. The Ethicists: Those who Grapple with the Perils
of the Internet
The third particular area on which the Internet task
force might concentrate is the ethical challenges
of the Internet. Specialists in communication ethics
living in respective dioceses could address on the
local scene such questions as:
The Digital Divide: Because of the resources required,
the poor both locally as well as in developing nations
are oftentimes left behind as the Internet age gallops
into the 3rd millennium. Strategies that incorporate
including those who experience enhanced deprivation
because of technology need to be put in place both
on the local, diocesan scene as well as in the broad,
global community. Many dioceses have sister relationships
with counterparts in developing countries. Outreach
to a very specific diocese in a third-world country
might be a catalyst on a micro basis for expanding
the circle of those benefiting rather than suffering
from the Internet and thus have a dramatic impact.
The Holy See’s ethics document of February
22nd envisions such involvement as contributing to
a “World governed by justice and peace and
love.” The same document further notes: “Today,
it takes no great stretch of the imagination to envisage
the earth as an interconnected globe humming with
electronic transmissions – a chattering planet
nestled in the provident silence of space.” As
this new day dawns, we want to be absolutely certain
not to leave the poor further behind either at home
or abroad and especially should we be attentive to
the situation of women who so often fall into the
category of disadvantaged.
Working With Transnational Corporations: The expansion
of corporations throughout the world has threatened
local cultures and in some cases stripped indigenous
peoples of moral and historical identities. Participation
and influence in these corporations, particularly
through lay leadership, should be of such a nature
that economic bottom line considerations should not
be the exclusive engines driving corporations’ expansion
but sensitivity to the basic rights of culture, history,
identity and customs must also receive high priority.
Making the Internet Family Friendly: In many cases,
libertarians-run-wild have carried so-called freedom
beyond all reasonable bounds to the point where the
Internet is toxic to youth because of pornographic
and explicit sex, violence and consumerism that instills
an excessive appetite for material goods as well
as the presence of hate sites. We must not only develop
technical means and oversight strategies to be exercised
in individual homes to enable children to become
discriminating users of the Internet but claim our
right to a wholesome environment in cyberspace that
represents the very best in human living. We must
stress that pollution can be destructive to the moral
environment as well as the physical world.
Developing Ethical Standards for the Internet: This
is a call to recruit ethicists and professional journalists
and other valuable resources from the community who
would seek to develop a code of ethics that might
be a source of self-regulation for the industry – addressing
questions as to appropriate content – who would
advocate freedom of expression and the free exchange
of ideas but always with respect for what is most
authentically human and decent. These professionals
would also offer assistance to those who become totally
absorbed in the Internet, hopelessly isolated and
disconnected from their fellows by having become
Internet addicts. In some areas of the world, there
are hints of the danger of cyber-terrorism. We must
work for that which brings people together and does
not nurture conflict.
Assuring Catholic Identity: With the proliferation
of Catholic messages and sites, it is incumbent on
the Church – most likely on the diocesan level – to
develop means to identify those sites which are in
accord with Catholic teaching and practice. Thus
a mechanism should be developed which assures users
of the Internet of the authentic Catholic character
of particular sites. At the same time, the downside
of the Internet, which contributes to the spreading
of inaccurate rumors and misinformation, as well
as the unethical spread of technical viruses, should
be confronted for the benefit of all.
The Church, through the Holy See, has identified
the importance and value of the Internet in society
and the Church. It has highlighted how it is at the
core of communication with the millennial generation,
now coming of age, as well as their successors, who
will experience the Internet as second-nature and
very much a part of the fabric of daily life.
Thus, the Internet is rapidly becoming an indispensable
means of communicating the Gospel message – of
announcing the good news. Its development and utilization
is of highest priority in the mission of the local
church, in each diocese and parish. We are well advised
to take up the call of Pope John Paul II and the
leaders of the Church and develop Pastoral Plans
that situate the Internet as integral to the life
of the Catholic community.
In all of this, we know that as important as the
Internet is, it remains always a MEANS of communication.
As the Pope noted in his Message for World Communication
Day:
“It is clear, then, that while the Internet
can never replace that profound experience of God
which only the living, liturgical, and sacramental
life of the Church can offer, it can certainly
provide a unique supplement and support in both
preparing
for the encounter of Christ in community and sustaining
the new believer in the journey of faith which
then begins.”
The Holy Father amplified this notion further
when in this same document he stressed the centrality
of Evangelization – proclaiming the Good
News of Jesus Christ:
