Priests are using the internet more and more to prepare homilies, and get support for evangelization and pastoral activities.
This is the result of a new study about the use of digital technology by priests worldwide.Cardinal Claudio Hummes, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, said the study aimed at taking a snapshot of the use that priests make of technology in order to be more effective in reaching the heart of the greatest changes in the cultural world.
Some 4,990 priests from 117 countries responded to the survey that began on November 15, 2009 and ended February 28, 2010.
The questionnaire was distributed through bishops’ conferences, religious congregations and Catholic news agencies in seven languages.
The respondents were 48 years old in average, and ordained for 20 years.
The study showed that 94.7 percent of priests worldwide access the Internet on a daily basis for a variety of activities.
Some 53 percent of priests affirmed that the Internet is useful in presenting and spreading the Christian message.