The leader of Ireland’s four million Roman Catholics has urged social network users to start sending daily prayers by text, Twitter or e-mail.

“Make someone the gift of a prayer through text, twitter or e-mail every day,” Cardinal Sean Brady said. “Such a sea of prayer is sure to strengthen our sense of solidarity with one another and remind those who receive them that others really do care.”

The cardinal also told prayer Tweeters to turn off their televisions, computers and mobile phones to pray more effectively.

The Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh was speaking as he unveiled a statue to the man known as the “rosary priest” because of his work to promote the saying of the rosary by families together.

Father Patrick Peyton coined the saying used today by clergy and ministers of all denominations: “The family that prays together, stays together.”

A priest of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Father Peyton is in the early stage of a process that could lead to him being declared a saint.

Cardinal Brady said: “Father Peyton had a gift for using the most up-to-date means of social communication. He was pioneering in his use of television to communicate the Gospel and the power of prayer through the Rosary.

"He attracted the support of many famous film stars along the way. I am sure if there had been mobile phones in his day Father Peyton would have been into texting and twitter!

“In the name of Father Peyton I would like to make an appeal to every Christian in Ireland today who sends texts, twitters or uses e-mail. I appeal to you 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.”

He said the family was threatened by many destructive forces, and prayer could counter these.

“It is not always easy to pray but it is always worthwhile to pray. In fact, there is an increasing body of research which points to the physical, social and psychological benefits of prayer. Our society is hungry for prayer.

His approach contrasts with that of Protestant bishops in Germany, who are working on a scheme to Tweet the entire Bible in 140-letter segments.