The Online Presence of Clergy, in the Attention of the Synod of the Church of Greece: Proposed Principles of Conducttranslated

The Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece dedicated special attention to a hot topic on Thursday: the online presence of clergy. Metropolitan Chrysostom of Halkida indicated, in a report given on this occasion, pluses and minuses of the online pastoral presence, as well as some guiding principles.

"I believe that reality itself has given a positive answer, which admits no reply, to the alleged question of whether or not clerics should use the Internet," His Eminence said.

The hierarch recalled that the development of contemporary technology must be seen in the wider framework of the development of modern Western civilization based on the ideas of the Enlightenment. "The value answer to the question of whether the Internet is good or bad will be given by the human user himself. From the purpose and the way of use," the metropolitan father emphasized.

Fruitful fishing, but not without risks The Most Reverend Father Chrysostom presented the benefits of the "wonderful fishing" in the online environment, which helps the clergy to reach many people, but also the dangers: the dangers lurking in the deep waters where this "fishing" takes place, as well as the risk that the fisherman himself will be caught in the nets.…