Archdiocese of Glasgow uses Facebook for Lent

The archdiocese of Glasgow is using social networking sites to share inspirational 'thoughts of the day' to help believers through the holy season of Lent.

While some Christians have given up sites like Facebook and Twitter for the 40 day period as part of their Lenten fasting, Glaswegians are being urged to log on to get daily updates from the church, in a move which organisers hope will see non Christians reached by a gospel message.

Daily messages such as "Find time to pray, fast and give generously to others" are being posted on the Archdiocesan Facebook and Twitter pages to help people to pause during their day, reflect on the true meaning of Lent, and draw closer to God.

Ronald Convery, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese said: "By utilising technology, we have found that we can reach hundreds if not thousands of people with the Christian message, without having to wait for them to come to church."

"By utilising technology, we have found that we can reach hundreds if not thousands of people with the Christian message, without having to wait for them to come to church."

Both Twitter and Facebook came under some criticism last year, for the way in which young people used the social networking sites to incite looters during the London riots, provoking discussion at the time amongst politicians about the right to close them down during times of crisis.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow's Lent campaign shows how these sites can be used as a vehicle for good, even as a means of spreading the Gospel message.

Ronald Convery said: "Through the re-posting and re-tweeting of our Lenten messages, we are finding that people are using Facebook and Twitter as a means of sharing their beliefs with their friends- a sort of non-threatening means of evangelising."

To receive the Archdiocese of Glasgow's Lenten Thought for the Day, visit their Facebook Page and click 'like' or follow their Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/#!/ArchdiocGlasgow