Pope Wants Priests to Start Blogging and Utilizing New Media

Pope Benedict XVI is pretty hip for an 82 year old. The leader of the Catholic church has issued a message for the World Communications Day asking his priests to start using blogging and social media sites to connect with their parishioners. He writes:

“Priests stand at the threshold of a new era,. The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World:New Media at the Service of the Word”.

He continues: “as new technologies create deeper forms of relationship across greater distances, priests are called to respond pastorally by putting the media ever more effectively at the service of the Word.”

It is hardly surprising to hear that the Pope wants to get a more solid footing on the internet for his church. The Pope has started a Twitter account, has a Facebook fan page, and YouTube account that are regularly updated so he is no "doubting Thomas" when it comes to social networking.