Pope Blesses Blogging

Pope Benedict XVI has issued a message The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World in which he encourages the use of new media to spread the timeless message of the love of God. He writes in part,

The development of the new technologies and the larger digital world represents a great resource for humanity as a whole and for every individual, and it can act as a stimulus to encounter and dialogue. But this development likewise represents a great opportunity for believers. No door can or should be closed to those who, in the name of the risen Christ, are committed to drawing near to others. To priests in particular the new media offer ever new and far-reaching pastoral possibilities, encouraging them to embody the universality of the Church’s mission, to build a vast and real fellowship, and to testify in today’s world to the new life which comes from hearing the Gospel of Jesus, the eternal Son who came among us for our salvation. At the same time, priests must always bear in mind that the ultimate fruitfulness of their ministry comes from Christ himself, encountered and listened to in prayer; proclaimed in preaching and lived witness; and known, loved and celebrated in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation.

Pope Benedict strikes that balance I find important that both acknowledges the gifts of what he calls the new "agora," referring to the places of open assembly in ancient Greece, and states clearly that humans must still interact in person.

Obviously, I find it worth continuing my daily blog posts, which for a year or so now autoload to my Facebook page as notes as well as appearing at Irenic Thoughts. And as you are reading this, you must find value as well. But what is the downside of eMinistry? What do hear from those who shun the digital agora? What problems do you see?

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor