Pope Shenouda III called on Copts not to confess on the Internet or on telephones. In his weekly sermon in the Orthodox Copts Cathedral in Abbasya two days ago, Pope Shenouda said confession through the Internet is rejected because everyone would hear it and would not be a secret. In addition, confession on telephones is unacceptable because telephones may be tapped, and the confessions would be heard by the State Security Investigations. Shenouda denied reports that he traveled to the US for treatment before Christmas, stressing that he is in good health. In response to a question about the legitimacy of investing money in the stock market, he said he knew nothing about the laws of the Stock Exchange and he could not judge them.
Pope Shenouda advised Coptic youths to marry Coptic Orthodox girls, saying: "Young men should not marry Evangelical girls. You should be of the same doctrine so that you can fast together. A young man cannot fast on Wednesday and Friday while his wife does not believe in this. So, it is important to marry Orthodox girls." He denied what is called black magic, which harms man and leads to death, saying it was in ancient times, but it has disappeared since Christ came with the New Testament.
Shenouda said he would not receive questions or sign papers in his coming sermon to end it at seven so that the attendees could celebrate the New Year in their churches.
