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Rome, November 15, 2009 (Zenit.org/SIGNIS): The Church in Europe asked itself how well it is taking advantage of the Internet to proclaim Christ, and being added in this evaluation by representatives of projects such as Wikipedia, Facebook and YouTube.

This analysis took place during the meeting of the Commission for the Media of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) in the Vatican, from November 12 to 16, 2009.

The meeting was presented by Cardinal Josip Bozanic, archbishop of Zagreb, Croatia, and vice-president of the CCEE, who began by clarifying that the "Internet is not only a recipient that receives different cultures. The Internet is culture."

The cardinal posed urgent questions to the representatives of the European episcopate: What implications does the presence of the Internet have today for the mission of the Church? What repercussions does it have in the evangelizing endeavor of cultures and the inculturation of the faith? How has the Internet entered in the ordinary pastoral care of our dioceses and parishes?

In his clues for answers to these questions, Cardinal Bozanic acknowledged that many in the Church see the Internet "more as an instrument," and he added: "We could think this three or four years ago. Today we must see that Internet is above all a world, which some have even called the ’seventh continent.’"

For most people, especially young people, for the Web generation that has grown up on the Internet, this virtual place, the world of the new media, is becoming the main venue where their human, moral and cognitive formation takes place, the cardinal suggested.

Facebook, Wikipedia and YouTube in the Vatican

To evaluate their knowledge and to learn about this new ‘media continent’, the participants of the CCEE conference had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Facebook, Wikipedia and YouTube.

The meeting began with a survey among the bishops and representatives of the episcopal commission.

Moderator Jim McDonnell of SIGNIS asked the bishops, priests and some lay experts in communication - just under 100 in total - how many had a profile on Facebook. More than one fourth raised their hand.

Nearly everyone in the group was familiar with Wikipedia and about 10% had collaborated in editing one of its entries. Almost everyone had also viewed videos on YouTube and about 15% had used the site to post one of their own. Approximately 10% had used or followed Twitter.

Then came the presentations from the Internet representatives. Christophe Muller, director of YouTube alliances in Southern and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, illustrated the philosophy that gave origin and life to Google.

In particular, he praised the Holy See’s decision to make a place for itself on YouTube. And he presented a promotional video showing how the great of the world - from Barack Obama to the Queen of England - use this platform. Among them is Benedict XVI.

Delphine Ménard, treasurer of Wikipedia, France, explained how the collaborative encyclopedia does not seek to give a view of truth, but rather aims for all points of view to be represented.

For his part, Christian Hernandez, in charge of the commercial development of Facebook, showed how Christian initiatives have arisen in the Facebook world that range from a Shrine of Lourdes profile, to "Jesus Daily," a profile that offers phrases from the Gospel, and has more than one million followers.