The Catholic Church in Ireland is encouraging parishioners to send daily prayer messages by Twitter and similar short message services.

Cardinal Sean Brady told a gathering “I appeal to every Christian in Ireland today who sends texts, Twitters or uses e-mail to think about setting up groups of prayer between you and your friends using these modern means of communication…I ask young people in particular to think of sending their friends and family an occasional Twitter or text to say that you have prayed for them. Make someone the gift of a prayer through text, Twitter or e-mail every day.”

Cardinal Brady, described by local press as “Ireland’s leading Catholic churchman” predicted that such a sea of prayer would strengthen a national sense of solidarity with one another, particularly for those suffering due to the recession.