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Romanian Orthodox Leader says Television is ‘Poisoning Souls’
Sources: WorldWide Religious News, Associated Press

A Romanian Orthodox Church leader on Wednesday, Aug. 15, criticized television stations for manipulating viewers and “poisoning the souls of Romanians” with violent programs.

“We are becoming a savage and uncouth people,” Metropolitan Bartolomeu Anania told a gathering of more than 100,000 pilgrims at the Nicula Monastery in northwest Romania. Anania, one of the possible successors to Patriarch Teoctist, who died last month, contended that violence on television was harming people's personalities.

“It's a diabolical technique which causes people to not be able to discern good from evil,” the 86-year-old Anania claimed. “It is a slow crime that destroys the conscience and personality.” He said, however, that he watches television and owns a computer. Anania added that he was not “against modernity” or television itself, though he disapproved of the way it was used.

The Orthodox Church, which is predominate in Romania, is to hold an election on Sept. 12 to choose a new leader to replace Teoctist, who worked to improve ties with the Vatican.

* HCJB Global Voice broadcasts the gospel locally in eight Romanian cities via partner ministry Radio Voice of the Gospel. The network is a cooperative effort with the Evangelical Alliance of Romania and the Romanian Missionary Society.
 
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