When computer hell strikes, emailers and other Web denizens soon may have another source of support -- a divine one, at that.
A proposal to designate St. Isidore of Seville as the patron saint of the Internet is wending its way through the Vatican, and in some quarters speculation is growing that a decision is imminent.
"The Vatican is just about to name a patron saint for the Internet the online publication Interactive Week wrote recently."
Catholic Web users in Europe began the campaign to adopt a patron saint for the Internet in 1999. For a time. another candidate, San Pedro Regalado, a l5th century Spanish priest famed for his supposed ability to appear in more than one place at the same time, was in the running.
But Isidore is now the leading candidate. There also is a push to broaden his mandate to include dominion over computers, and computer tecnicians and general users.
The 'Roman' Catholic Church embraces scores of patron saints, many of whom assume such status by popular acclamation alone.
The panoply of patron saints is vast. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of banking, St. Stephen for the building trade, St. John the Baptist for highways, St. Ambrose for learning and St. Matthew for accountants.
Many saints perform double or more duty. In fact, Isidore already is the patron saint for photographers, motorcyclists and radiologists.