Pope John Paul II is a man of advanced age, failing health, pure faith, and brilliant mind. His most recent Apostolic Letter, "The Rapid Development," is addressed to those who communicate through the Internet medium. So bloggers, pop open the link and get an eyeful. You are in for an enjoyable and insightful read, but you will also receive a reminder of your profound responsibility to act as a positive force in modern communications.
As noted in the blog "Ninme," the Holy Father is "not just an old white man." He is keenly aware that the Internet presents a channel for good that is unlimited in its possiblilities. As John Paul states in the opening paragraph of "The Rapid Development," “Man’s genius has with God’s help produced marvelous technical inventions from creation, especially in our times." Pope John Paul II recognizes that the potential for expanding knowledge and education through the World Wide Web is infinite. Infinite, too, is the opportunity for "people of goodwill," in the Pope's words, to teach God's Word through this new technology that is exploding across the globe.
The awesome power of the written word bears with it a serious responsibility to use it wisely, especially in this age of instantaneous mass communications. Hugh Hewitt writes at length about The Rapid Development Apostolic Letter in his Weekly Standard column, with many excerpts quoted therein.
Hugh has his favorite passages, and I have mine:
"Do not be afraid of new technologies! These rank “among the marvelous things” – inter mirifica – which God has placed at our disposal to discover, to use and to make known the truth, also the truth about our dignity and about our destiny as his children, heirs of his eternal Kingdom."
John Paul II published The Rapid Development on the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of Catholic journalists. For many years, I have considered St. Francis to be my personal patron saint. This is not only because I am a Catholic writer, but especially because his feast day, January 24, just happens to be my birthday.
The Pope believes that "The great challenge of our time for believers and for all people of good will is that of maintaining truthful and free communication which will help consolidate integral progress in the world. "
I agree, Your Holiness. And I promise to assist in whatever small way I can.
