Coptic Pope Shenouda III has warned members of his flock against confessing their sins to priests over the telephone.
“State security services record everything,” he said. “You may find yourselves making your confession in prison.”
In his weekly Sunday sermon, the pope also said that new priests must first be "approved by the people" before being appointed by church authorities. “I've heard a number of complaints about unqualified priests,” he said.
Shenouda, who has just returned from a three-week trip to the US for medical treatment, was warmly received by congregants.
“The church may forgive those who have committed adultery,” he said in his sermon. “But they are not to remarry after they are divorced,” he added, advising young people to make sure to choose the right would-be spouse before taking the decision to marry.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
