Seoul gears itself for on-line baptisms
The programme took a year of work. It is developed in 50 units and allows those who complete them to be baptised. The director of the project says: "It's just a new way of remaining abreast with society".
Seoul (AsiaNews) The Catholic cyber-pastoral programme of the Seoul Archdiocese starts tomorrow with a training course for catechumens on the internet at the address http://veritas.ne.kr. The diocese initiative is directed by Fr John Ri Gi-jeong and it aims to spread Catholicism and to train catechumens.
The online course is made up of 50 "leioniz" (units): nine lessons ranging from 20 to 40 minutes long are published every month to make up a six-month corse. Beyond following lessons, catechumens must go to Mass for 20 or more times and request proof of attendance from the parish.
After completing all the lessons, participants will receive a cyber-certificate which they will present in order to be baptised in their parishes.
The first four lessons are open to all Internet users, so that anyone is free to approach Catholicism and its basic teachings. The possibility of accessing all the units will allow those who wish to embrace the Catholic faith to read through the lessons.
The site includes many links to parish email address and websites, as well as Catholic associations so as to keep the link between the Church and catechumens alive.
The programme took a year of work from the Cyber-pastoral Department of the Archdiocese of Seoul. Says Fr Ri Gi-jeong: "Internet catechesis is a new way of providing teaching fitting for contemporary society, eliminating restrictions of time and place. In addition to this initial formation, we will also develop various programmes for re-education of the laity."
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