"Donald E. Kimberlin" <0004133373@mcimail.com> (06/30/91)
For that large proportion of the population that still wants to
deny that electronics and telecommunication have become the shuttle of the
loom weaving our world's fabric, here's yet another of the almost daily
examples that appear in the press. This one is from the Associated Press,
as published in the 29 June {Charlotte Observer}:
"FRIARS VERIFY THE FAX: U.S. FULL OF NEW WAYS
"Foreign Brown-Robed Delegates Find New World Culture, Size `Astounding'
"By Eduardo Montes - Associated Press
"SAN DIEGO - Franciscan Friars remain dedicated to simplicity and
tradition, but members of the nearly 800-year-old order have adopted
new ways for their first meeting in North America.
"Amid the swirl of brown robes and sandals, there often is a flash of
tennis shoe. And the word once sent by foot and ship is spread by
laptop computers, fax machines and media-savvy priests.
"Since we've been in the United States, we're trying to get much more
media converage," said the Rev. Jeremy Harrington, communications
officer for the month-long General Chapter in San Diego.
"The Roman Catholic friars have been meeting every six years, mostly
in Europe, since St. Francis of Assisi founded the order in 1209."
<end of quoted portion of story>
The story goes on to say the Franciscans chose San Diego for
their worldwide conclave to recognize the 500th anniversary of
Franciscans arriving in the New World as well as the work of Junipero
Serra founding California's network of missions. It does also mention
the friars will visit Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Mention is
made that the proportions of America and its culture are "astounding."
But then, telecommunications is probably no more astounding
today than would have been sailing off on a ship across the endless
ocean 500 years ago. Somehow, the Franciscans can probably handle it.