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INDIA-LEARNING Aug-21-2007 (450 words) xxxi
In India, bishops get a crash course in computers, Internet
By Catholic News Service
MANGALORE, India (CNS) -- As the bell rang for class, they trooped in, carrying school bags and laptops. Some were bald and others gray-haired. All were Catholic bishops learning about computers at a Jesuit college in southern India.
Regular students -- boys and girls -- looked on curiously as the "new" students got acquainted with the computer keys at a special session. The teacher explained the lesson with great respect.
"I am almost illiterate in computer and the Internet," Cardinal Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi told UCA News, an Asian church news agency. He was one of 22 archbishops and bishops who took a short basic course in computer science and the Internet. The cardinal is president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.
The bishops' Commission for Social Communication organized the Aug. 20-23 Shepherds of the Media Age program at St. Aloysius College in Mangalore. The workshop preceded a national conference of Catholic communicators.
Opening the workshop, Cardinal Toppo said the World Wide Web has turned the world into a global village.
"We are here as shepherds of the media age to acquaint ourselves with the computer and Internet skills, so that we can be more effective in our service to the church and to the people of India," he added.
When even senior judges and legislators have learned computer skills, he said, "Can the bishops be mute spectators?"
Describing information technology as "God's gift" to humanity, the cardinal said the church should utilize it fully to disseminate information and to teach and inspire people.
Bishop Aloysius D'Souza of Mangalore, who welcomed the students, stressed the need to communicate in a familiar language and medium.
"Computer knowledge is a must in leading the church through the media age," he said.
During a break on the first day, Cardinal Toppo told UCA News all he knew about information technology was how to switch on a computer, type a few lines and save what he typed as a document. The cardinal said he would recommend that all Catholic educational institutions make electronic education compulsory.
Bishop Geevarghese Ottathengil of the Syro-Malankara Diocese of Bathery said most bishops in India were ordained priests before the Internet became popular.
"The Internet is almost a small wonder" and "highly essential in keeping ourselves updated," he told UCA News.
Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril of Vijayapuram told UCA News he came to update himself in the media age, even though he said he has basic computer knowledge.
"Whether I like it or not, I have no option but to learn about the computer and use it for better management of my diocese and people," he said.
END
Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
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