"Cyber" Catechesis
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews/UCAN) Young Vietnamese are turning to the internet to share and spread the Christian message. This is happening despite a law that will come into force on November 15 that bans spreading the Gospel, whether door-to-door or online, and government measures designed to stop access to catholic websites. The number of the faithful going online for their own spiritual growth is in actual fact on the rise.
"Internet is the fastest, cheapest and safest way to bring the word of God to others," said Hoang, a Ho Chi Minh City-based catechist. Through internet he has been able to improve his knowledge about religion and the Church. Fittingly, he decided to share his online experiences with other, more distant believers.
As a telephone company employee Hoang has unlimited access to the net and has set for himself the task of offering "online catechesis." Every week he sends an e-mail letter to about 200 people containing homilies by the Pope, thoughtful observations about the Gospels, prayers, news about the Church and information about family issues. Addressees are encouraged to forward the letter to others. "What counts is that the letter be brief. No more than two pages," he adds.
Not everyone in fact can surf the net freely. Young people especially must make do with the brief moments they have in cybercafés to share prayers and thoughts with their friends. Hat Huong, a female student, and Tuan Viet, a candidate for the Carmelite Order, agree that "in general, people have no time to read long letters so sending prayers is the most effective way to help them meditate on the word of God.
Since internet's arrival in Vietnam 7 years ago, the number of surfers is rising. Official figures put it at over 1 million registered users.
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24/10/2005
