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 "Do whatever He tells you."   Jn 2:5

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Excerpts from the
43rd World Communications Day Message
of Benedict XVI
"New Technologies, New Relationships.
Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship."

 read entire message
According to Catholic News Service reports, when the message was released it was emailed directly to 100,000 young Catholics around the world who were asked to share it online. The Vatican announced that it would make video  of the Holy Father available on YouTube

Excerpts below from Pope Benedict's WCD Message, 24, January 2009.

The new digital technologies are, indeed, bringing about fundamental shifts in patterns of communication and human relationships. These technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavour to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human individuals and communities.

Many benefits flow from this new culture of communication...the interactive nature of many of the new media facilitates more dynamic forms of learning and communication, thereby contributing to social progress.

This desire for communication and friendship is rooted in our very nature... When we find ourselves drawn towards other people, when we want to know more about them and make ourselves known to them, we are responding to God’s call - a call that is imprinted in our nature as beings created in the image and likeness of God, the God of communication and communion.

Life is not just a succession of events or experiences: it is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful. Friends should support and encourage each other in developing their gifts and talents and in putting them at the service of the human community. In this context, it is gratifying to note the emergence of new digital networks that seek to promote human solidarity, peace and justice, human rights and respect for human life and the good of creation.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I ask you to introduce into the culture of this new environment of communications and information technology the values on which you have built your lives.

Human hearts are yearning for a world where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. Our faith can respond to these expectations: may you become its heralds!