This is interesting:
A Blogging Benedict XVI?
Chinese Laywoman Makes Proposal at SynodVATICAN CITY, OCT. 14, 2008 (Zenit.org).- One of the auditors at the world Synod of Bishops has suggested that Benedict XVI opens a blog to explain the word of God in an attractive way.
The proposal was made today by Agnes Lam, president of the Catholic Biblical Association of Hong Kong.
Among her suggestions to promote the word of God so that the faithful can come to know Christ, she included the blog proposal, bringing smiles from many of the bishops. [Many of whom were asking their neighbors "What’s a blog?"]
She invited "the Holy Father to open a multi-language blog to shepherd today’s world: [a] daily scriptural verse with [a] simple reflection, brief text and plentiful images."
Lam also suggested other means for spreading knowledge of the Bible.
Above all, she recommended simple methods of meditation in a complex world. As examples, she suggested reciting verses of the Bible and lectio divina.
"Reading the Bible is like eating," Lam said, "a homemade soup prepared with love and time is delicious, while fast food is tasteless."
Watch out, Father. You’re going to get driven out of business by this Benedict guy.
Fr Z,
You have commented before how much work it is to maintain a blog. I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be for the Holy Father give the demands on his time.
Agnes Lam
Wonder if the name makes her feel sheepish.
Like he doesn’t have enough to do, already.
But, it would be kinda fun to see photos of his cats, the view out his window… and it would be REALLY funny to see him ban the IP’s of trouble makers.
Thomas: Watch out, Father. You’re going to get driven out of business by this Benedict guy.
Bring it on!
I’d happily cede to him.
Romulus: Agnes Lam – Wonder if the name makes her feel sheepish.
Ewe can bet on it!
I thought the Pope’s “Blog” was L’Osservatore Romano…
But if the Holy Father had a blog how would some bishops prevent news/instructions/clarifications/magisterial teaching from reaching the faithful? I mean, Catholics could then “actively participate” in dialogue with the Holy Father. Shock, horror. ;)
I have to think that…the Holy Father’s schedule is a little…packed to find room to squeeze in blogging as well.
I would just as soon he spent the time doing the legwork to give us as good a bishops as possible. And it is not like he lacks outlets for getting his word out. I would rather have a bull with breakfast than a blog, after all.
But there might be something to the idea of having Vatican dicasteries consider dabbling in this activity where appropriate. The obvious danger is misunderstandings that such blogging might have unintended magisterial import.
Wrong-headed on so many levels.
This can be easily done without any extra work by His Holiness if one thinks about it. The pope’s address that goes with his Sunday Angelus can already fit the format of a weekly blog. It will require a little repackaging and faster translation, mind you.
Romulus, Fr. Z: I blame romanization of my mother tongue for the inaccuracy, but Lam =/= Lamb.
Art Ching
I would imagine that the comment section of the blog (if there were such a thing) would have so many comments that it would shut down the internet!
“has suggested that Benedict XVI opens a blog to explain the word of God in an attractive way.”
Maybe he should read one of the Holy Father’s books, or listen to his homilies each week. I think good Pope Benedict is doing an outstanding job of communicating. He knows what words mean and how to use them to full effect.