Carmelites launch new website
This Wednesday saw the launch of the new website of the British Province of Carmelite Friars at: www.carmelite.org.
The Carmelites in Britain were one of the first Religious Orders in the Catholic Church to make the step into cyberspace, launching their first website in 1996, which has received more than a million visitors from across the world.
The new site incorporates the most popular elements of the former webpages with many innovative features including an interactive map of communities, a searchable calendar of events and the possibility of downloading extracts of publications by the Order’s publishing house, Saint Albert’s Press.
The ‘content management system’ technology behind the new website has been designed by Len Lucas of CIS Media who specialises in IT resources for community projects and non-profit organisations.
In his recent message for World Communications Day Pope Benedict XVI said of current digital advances: "These technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavour to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human individuals and communities, especially those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable."
Prior Provincial of the Carmelites, Fr Wilfrid McGreal, himself a well-known broadcaster commented: “carmelite.org is the first portal for many people into the riches of the 800 year-old Carmelite tradition. We’re already experiencing many enquiries about our way of life ahead of the visit of the relics of the great Carmelite Doctor of the Church, St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Our new website allows people to access details of the visit at the click of a button.”
Fr Tony Lester, who has maintained and developed the site from its inception, said: “The possibilities offered by this new technology are very exciting. We can upload images, documents and other resources in a fraction of the time previously needed. The sections on Carmelite spirituality and history have always been popular; visitors can now subscribe to an email facility that will allow us to inform them of updates and new resources.”
The website was officially launched by the Order’s vice Prior General, Fr. Christian Körner, during a fraternal visitation of the Province.