The Jesuits, for 500 years in the front line of Catholic evangelisation, have decided that Second Life, the online virtual world, can be fertile territory for spreading the Gospel.

In an article in their official organ, “Civilita’ Cattolica,” they suggest that just as they once penetrated the jungles of Africa or distant China, today they should be present in Second Life.

Father Antonio Spadaro, the literary critic of “Civilta’ Cattolica” and an expert on new technologies, writes: “This virtual Second Life is becoming populated with churches, mosques, temples, cathedrals. synagogues, places of prayer of all kinds. And behind an avatar there is a man or a woman, perhaps searching for God and faith, perhaps with very strong spiritual needs.”

The Jesuits, founded in 1534 by Ignatius of Loyola and known also as “Soldiers of Christ,” are considered the Catholic church’s great thinkers and educators. Traditionally, they delight in exploring the philosophical frontiers of religious thought.

The magazine’s deputy-editor, Father Michele Simone, confirmed that the article reflects current thinking among the Society of Jesus.

“Today we have more than 200 missionaries in China,” said Father Simone. “I don’t see there is anything so astounding if we have a few avatars in Second Life.”

“The article presents Second Life to our readers, then points out its positive and negative aspects, the potential dangers. We therefore came to the conclusion that it would not be a mistake for Jesuits to be present as well, to help people not to fall into pseudo-religious traps,” he said.

Father Spadaro gives an extremely learned description of how Second Life works, including detailed instructions on becoming a “resident”, and examines the philosophical aspects of the relationship between real life and fantasy life which, he points out, for hundreds of thousands of people becomes as real as reality.

“Second Life is not simply a ‘closed’ phenomenon,” he writes. “It is a real living environment that every day extends its frontiers and increases the number of residents. We cannot close our eyes to it. It must be understood, and this is especially true for people with educational responsibilities. There are young people, fragile people, facing the seductions of simulated life. The best way to understand it is to enter into it. Therefore any initiative which can help the souls of residents should be considered positive.”