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Cybermonk casts out into
the deep
Saint Isidore of Seville, patron Saint of the
internet, stares outward from the top of the page, his bionic eye warmly
greeting each visitor to the site. This, the banner tells us, is the domain of
Cybermonk, an elusive figure whose CatholicNET site ushers in a unique approach
to catechesis.
The site design is simple, incredibly so. A menu
on the left offers navigation, as do links on each page. After a few short
scrolls, however, users are immersed in the content, which is where this site
comes into its own. Cybermonk has spent literally years creating an online
companion to the Catechism, and making it as simple as possible for anyone to
use. As an online introduction to Catholicism, this is a superb resource.
Cybermonk’s vision was for a powerful catechetical
tool to accompany Catholics on their faith journeys, making the teachings of the
Church as accessible as possible by using dozens of approaches. The final
product both meets and exceeds this vision, providing a diverse, comprehensive
and enduring directory of information, with cohesive logic leading readers from
one site to the next.
Each page of the site begins with appropriate
quotes on the topic at hand, from Isaiah to the Vatican Councils to G.K.
Chesterton and C.S.Lewis. Once the reader has reflected on these, subheadings
lead to different websites exploring the topic - from many different angles.
Under the first section, God, the first page is We believe in God, The one and
only God. Headings from “The one true God (early Church fathers)” to “GOD
exists? There is no GOD!” link to articles, poems, surveys, stories,
interviews... and that’s just the first page of hundreds!
CatholicNET could be considered a large directory
of web pages, but it is much more than that. The logical progression of topics,
parallels with the Catechism and the accessible language combine to make this a
definitive learning resource for all Catholics, and an ideal point of contact
for the curious non-Catholic.
Cybermonk has dedicated several years of his life
to making this site a reality, and it should be among the most influential
Catholic sites of 2006, worldwide. All readers are invited to share in this
remarkable initiative, and to bookmark it as an essential reference.
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