ARCHBISHOP FOLEY ON THE INTERNET AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, JUN 7, 2005 (VIS) - Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, yesterday addressed the Information Office of the Italian Episcopal Conference on the topic "Internet and the Catholic Church in Europe."

  He defined the Internet as a "present and pressing reality that cannot be ignored," and noted that the Internet had been the subject of both John Paul II's Message for World Communications Day in 2002 and two documents from the pontifical council, "The Church and the Internet" and "Ethics in the Internet."

  The archbishop stated that the Church must welcome the challenges posed by the Internet but also "remain firm on the ethical principles and values that are universally recognized as indispensable for the growth and evolution of all cultures. The Church, as the bearer of the Revelation of God, has the duty to communicate the Word and to encourage the use of the Internet for the common good, for the development of peace and justice in respect for personal dignity and in a spirit of solidarity. ... Internet is thus the areopagus of our times, the instrument for spreading the Christian message."

  "Among the millions of people who navigate daily on the Internet," said Archbishop Foley, "many will be able to find a word of hope. ... Thus the Internet can be a new path to God," a way for the Church "to bring the Word of God to every place, to reach those living in solitude and who perhaps would never open the doors of their home."
CON-CS/INTERNET/CEI:FOLEY                    VIS 20050607 (270)