HI-TECH Christians wanting to spread the Gospel through videos and audio-cassettes have been given the all-clear by Pope John Paul II.
In a statement released this week by the Vatican, in advance of World Communications Day on May 23, the Pope said new technology would never replace the priest in the pulpit but that new ways of spreading the word should be encouraged. He said that because cassettes were so portable they were ideal for promoting "God's glory and for the service of his creation".
But the Pope warned of the difficulties of ensuring that the new communications methods were not misused. "Like all of God's gifts, they are meant to be used for a good purpose and to assist individuals and communities to grow in knowledge and appreciation of the truth," he said.
Makers of religious cassettes should "resist the ever-present lure of easy profit" and "refuse to take part in any production which exploits human weakness, offends consciences or affronts human dignity".