Church of Greece examines clergy’s online presence, warns of risks of social media

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece devoted particular attention on Wednesday to an increasingly relevant issue: the online presence of clergy. Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida outlined the benefits and risks of online pastoral ministry, along with several guiding principles, in a presentation to the Synod.

“I believe that reality itself has given a positive and irrefutable answer to the supposed question of whether clergy should use the internet,” His Eminence said.

The metropolitan noted that the development of modern technology should be viewed within the broader evolution of modern Western civilisation, shaped by the ideas of the Enlightenment.

“The answer to whether the internet is good or bad will be given by the user himself, through the purpose for which it is used and the way it is used,” he emphasised.

A fruitful catch, but not without risks Metropolitan Chrysostomos highlighted the benefits of a “miraculous catch” in the digital environment, where clergy can reach large numbers of people.

However, he also warned of the dangers hidden in the deep waters where this “fishing” takes place, as well as the possibility that the fisherman himself might…