Fr
Paddy Byrne has jumped on the Twitter bandwagon and is using the social
networking website to keep his flock up-to-date on his movements.
The 36-year-old curate, who works in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, started 'tweeting' for Lent.
Fr Byrne gathered over 100 followers on his first day using Twitter, and now has 157 followers.
The priest, who was ordained 10 years ago, wanted to reach out to people who were not Mass-goers.
"There
is a hunger out there for spirituality. Through social media we have a
whole generation of people who are open to conversations about the
question of God," he said.
While some dioceses are using Twitter to send out generic prayers, Fr Byrne is keeping his messages personal.
"Spent time with a recovering heroin addict yesterday his story one of pain and yet great hope," he tweeted.
He also used the website to voice his views on Taoiseach Enda Kenny's new Government.
"The most vulnerable need to be included in this Government's main considerations," he said.
The curate, who also writes an online blog, said the internet is allowing him to talk to people who do not attend Mass.
"I'm going outside just the grouping who attend our rituals," he told the Irish Independent.