Roman Catholic missionaries must reap a virtual harvest of cyber-souls in the kingdom of Second Life: this is the new instruction to the faithful.

It appears in the Jesuit journal La Civiltà Cattolica, a Rome-based publication approved by the Vatican Secretariat of State, in an article by the academic priest Father Antonio Spadaro. For Catholics in the postcolonial era, proselytism has become a dirty word, but there is now a new land to conquer for Christ, a computer world in which to convert nonbelievers.

Father Spadaro urges Catholics to go out into the simulation game of Second Life, to lead the cyber-embodiments of their fellow men and women out of the many temptations that exist there. Second Life players create a virtual version of themselves – an avatar – and wander through an ever-growing virtual reality with its own currency, industry and culture.

The site now has a population of eight million. Millions of real dollars change hands there every month.

Amid the virtual towns, however, sin has flourished. Freed from the constraints of their real lives, many occupants indulge in random fornication, and prostitution is flourishing. Gambling is widespread and, although occupants are free from the ravages of alcohol and drug abuse, they are vulnerable to mindless consumerism.

“It is not possible to turn a blind eye to this phenomenon, or offhandedly pass judgment glorifying or condemning it,” says Father Spadaro. “Instead it must be understood . . . the best way to understand it is to enter it and live inside it to recognise its potential and dangers.”

As in any society where sin flourishes, so does religion – of every kind. There are already hundreds of churches, synagogues, mosques and temples serving the faithful, many of whom regard it as their latest virtual mission to save Second Lifers.

LifeChurch.tv, one of the most technologically advanced churches in the US, is among those to have opened Second Life missions.

Commenting on the growing religiosity of the site that has become a haven of virtual escapism, John Lester, also known as Pathfinder Linden of Linden Labs, toldNew Scientistmagazine: “I interpret this as them wanting people to know that, just like in real life, there is a spiritual side to things [in Second Life]. I think it’s a cool idea for folks to want to make sure that this side of spirituality is being represented.”

In his Jesuit article, Father Spadaro, 40, asks: “Is there [cyber] space for God?” He quotes a Swedish Muslim who says that his avatar prays regularly “as he prays in real life”.

Father Spadaro cautions the uninitiated that “the erotic dimension is very present” in Second Life.

While the virtual world might be a refuge for some people seeking to flee the real one, it is also full of people seeking something more from life, including, possibly, religious enlightenment, Father Spadaro says. “Deep down, the digital world can be considered, in its way, mission territory. Second Life is somewhere where the opportunity to meet people and to grow should not be missed. Therefore, any initiative that can inspire the residents in a positive way should be considered opportune.”

Admitting that the anonymous nature of the site means a person’s virtual appearance can be open and honest, he adds: “On the other hand, one can also get caught up in a spontaneity that knows no limits or discretion.”

He also gives warning that users might become alienated from the real world and begin to identify themselves according to their self-created myth. Events or experiences are erased easily. Simulated reality allows the user to do almost anything at a “low level of risk”. “This has worrying emotional and affective consequences,” the priest says. In the virtual world everything is “under control and reversible”, making the real world look frightening.

He has a reputation for counter-cultural innovations in the spirit of Christian justice. He has lauded the singer Tom Waits as a role model for Catholics, because he represents the “marginalised and misunderstood”. He paved the way for the rehabilitation of Oscar Wilde by the Church when, on the centenary of the homosexual writer’s death, he praised the “understanding of God’s love” that had followed the writer's imprisonment.

Virtual welcome

–– Within your first hour, you'll notice that several residents approach you and introduce themselves – Second Lifers are eager to welcome you and show you around

–– Within this vibrant society of people, it's easy to find people with similar interests. There are dozens of events where you can party at nightclubs, attend fashion shows and art openings or just play games

–– Residents form groups ranging from neighbourhood associations to fans of science fiction films

*Source: Second Life