New York, USA - The heads of nine U.S. Eastern Orthodox denominations issued an unusual joint warning to priests and parishes last week about the wide availability of pornography through the Internet and hand-held video cell phones, iPods and PDAs.
"This could spell disaster for your children and grandchildren" and cause "immeasurable moral, social and spiritual damage," the nine prelates stated.
With the hand-held devices, they said, there are no filtering or monitoring systems for sexually explicit material. "This means many children and teens will be able to access such material, unless their parents are aware of this threat and take action to prevent it."
The statement said the Religious Alliance Against Pornography is working to develop educational materials to accompany purchases of cell phones and service contracts.
The nine-member Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas is chaired by Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Archdiocese.