In numerous talks to Catholic communicators and leaders this year, Pope Benedict XVI urged that new technologies be put at the service of the church’s evangelization efforts. He also urged priests to find new ways to perform their pastoral ministries in a digital age as the theme of the 44th World Communications Day, celebrated in most dioceses May 16 this year. The Vatican has moved aggressively in applying new digital tools in its efforts to reach Catholics across the globe. Among those are new websites and the use of Facebook and Twitter, among others. One of the newest tools is Intermirifica.net, a website recently launched by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications that is a directory of Catholic television and radio stations throughout the world. Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of council, explained in a recent interview with Catholic News Service that he wants the new site to become “the Yellow Pages of Catholic media.”

WASHINGTON (CNS)