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Church to harness web for evangelism

Mobile technology becoming more effective, says blogging bishop
Church to harness web for evangelism
Bishop Philip Huang discusses the use of a tablet PC at Holy Trinity Church in Hsintien
Published: September 08, 2011 08:44 AM GMT
Updated: September 09, 2011 02:57 AM GMT

The bishops’ conference of Taiwan is exploring a web-based multimedia platform to bring the seven local dioceses and Catholic media together for collaborative efforts to evangelize under the rapid development of modern information technology, committee members heard yesterday. The plan is to utilize the internet and mobile technology better because it can achieve a similar impact to a television channel, which the Catholic Church currently lacks. Bishop Philip Huang Jaw-ming of Hualien, head of the bishops’ social development commission, acknowledged that all dioceses and Catholic media here have worked diligently “but on their own without mutual consensus.” He spoke at a commission meeting about internet and evangelization, which aimed to familiarize the diocesan offices for social communications and the Catholic media. Noting that local Buddhists and Protestants have their own television channels, the 59-year-old bishop said the Catholic Church should look into the opportunities afforded by mobile devices. “Even though I am not young, I still need to learn new technology to find new ways for evangelization,” he said, showing to the audience a tablet PC he bought a few days ago. “Today, Taiwan people cannot live without a mobile phone, which is gradually replacing the function of televisions. People can watch audio-visual programs through their mobile phones, which can be connected to the internet around the clock,” observed the only blogging prelate in Taiwan. He advised each parish to recruit young volunteers as “citizen journalists” to provide the Church with news and information of their activities and that all diocesan websites should provide links to other dioceses. Matthew Chung of Radio Veritas Asia's Chinese Section said group is expanding to on-spot reporting of audio-visual news on important Church activities and it hopes to become a platform for audio-visual news of the Taiwan Church. Related reports: Chinese bishops take blogging prize Net prophets struggle in China Bishop urges young to renew Church

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