EUROPE/ITALY - Religious called to “put out into the deep” in the ocean of the Internet

Rome (Fides Service) - Prof. Vincenzo Comodo who teaches Sociology and Communications Science at the Regina Apostolorum college and the Claretianum College recently published a book in Italian “Cons@crati on line. Internet Navigation Routes for Religious” which treats of the interesting and delicate relationship between the Internet and Religious or Consecrated life. Here is one of his articles on the subject.
“Increasing numbers of consecrated persons use the Internet, just as an increasing number of web sites are being opened by consecrated persons. Rather than just registering these trends, we would do well to explore what “connection” there is between the Internet and Consecrated life. There are various motivations, among the most significant we mention: the importance of illustrating the potential of the Web as a place where Consecrated persons can prolong their apostolic mandate; opportunities to make oneself known as a congregation at the global level.
This might seem a commonplace remark but for our “exploration” it is fundamental to know exactly what the Internet is, for the simple reason that the Internet is not a traditional means of communications like television, radio, cinema and print media it is more, much more: it is a cultural environment. In fact in it we find all sorts of things, all sorts of cultures, proposals, people of all different nationalities. It is not difficult to realise that it is a global and interactive terrain of encounter. Here in fact new dynamics of socialisation of planetary extension are born; here new ways of producing and consuming culture are spread.
Hence the urgent need to update the relationship between Consecrated persons and the new system of communications. We must emphasise the importance of updating certain traditional (but not discarded) visions of the media, based on simple passive use and the impossibility of taking an active part in the process of communication- as it happens for example when watching television or reading a newspaper. The reason for this updating must be identified in the Internet’s free accessibility. Anyone can enter; every culture can be present and have success. But urgency is justified above all by the negative consequences of this total opening to the weakest and mostly lonely surfers, to the Church, to her mission, to Consecrated persons and their Institutes. Many people plaster the Web with immoral, filthy substances; not rare are peddlers of pseudo-religions, ephemeral and anti-Christian cultures, through which they attack the people of God, the work of salvation and the world of Consecrated persons especially. For example we think of many sites which show images and videos which offend Christ, the saints, the Pope, priests, Religious. What can we do? Simply suffer this offence or defend ourselves? Abandon surfers at the mercy of the digital waves or rescue them? Allow cultures enemies of Christianity to conquer and dominate the Web?
In the face of these questions it is important to realise that the Web is a vast territory of inter-cultural and inter-value challenges. But it is also important to point out that precisely Consecrated persons can be operators of communications and culture, promoters of ecclesial culture, proclaiming the Gospel and rescuing people calling for help in the rough seas of the Internet ocean. However to be @postoli and rescue workers on line, it is indispensable to know “everything” about the Internet, the hidden risks and dangers but also its possibilities for use and for abuse.
Remaining on the level of opportunity for Congregations we must also consider its “applications” for promoting funding charisma and launching new pastoral initiatives, vocational especially. Think for example of vocations «discovered» or born on the Internet. So too we must appreciate the possibility to launch new “programmes” for internal communication among Consecrated persons: in the individual institute and in the inter-congregational field: to share religious consecration putting knowledge and experience in common.
In extreme synthesis these are some of the principal questions treated in the book presented by Sr Enrica Rosanna, under-secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Aware that I have by no means said all there is to say on the subject, I hope I have made a small contribution to how consecrated persons can be «fishers of men» (cf. Mt 4, 19) using this great NETwork…”. (Vincenzo Comodo) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2006 - Righe 53; Parole 736)