Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain delivered a deeply reflective and urgent address on 17 November 2025 at a high-level meeting with religious leaders, speaking on behalf of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). His remarks, rich in both pastoral concern and ethical insight, focused on escalating public division, the moral challenges of digital culture, and the responsibility of faith communities to restore meaningful dialogue.
“It is my honour to represent the Conference of European Churches, more commonly referred to as CEC, and share a few thoughts with you,” the Archbishop began, before addressing the increasingly fractured tone of public discourse.
He noted that “the tone of public conversation has become more divisive and harsher in recent years,” explaining that “respectful dialogue, which was once central to community life, has been replaced by quick judgments, emotional reactions, verbal attacks, and a type of ‘mudslinging.’”
According to Archbishop Nikitas, this shift has produced “walls… between people, communities and various groups,” accompanied by a “loss of empathy and patience, especially on sensitive, moral, political and social issues.” In response, he stressed that churches and faith-based institutions must lead the effort to bring society back to dialogue grounded in “love, truth, honesty, humility, and genuine acceptance, not just an arena of tolerance.”
“CEC stresses these values,” he affirmed.
Digital Culture, Hate Speech and Emerging Inequalities
The Archbishop highlighted the dual nature of social media and digital culture. While platforms can foster connection, “they can also spread anger, hate and misinformation on such a rapid level that it is almost beyond our comprehension.”
“Fake news and other means of misinformation are feeding the flames of division,” he warned.
The responsibility, he said, falls heavily on faith leaders: “It is, therefore, the responsibility of faith leaders to guide people to use technology both ethically and responsibly… Digital literacy is a moral and educational challenge.”
Turning to artificial intelligence, the Archbishop acknowledged both its promise and its ethical risks.
“Artificial Intelligence holds great promise… if used in the right and proper manner. It can, though, bring to light some serious ethical questions. How is AI used—what is the purpose—what is the goal?”
He offered a stark assessment of AI’s current limitations in detecting nuanced hate speech:
“Current Artificial Intelligence systems are relatively effective at detecting explicit forms of hate speech… Yet, they often struggle with more subtle or complex expressions… even in English, where AI research is most advanced.”
He further warned that underrepresented languages such as Greek, Romanian, and Spanish face “new forms of digital inequality,” leaving certain voices “unseen or unheard in the development of global technologies.”
For this reason, he insisted that “technology must remain human-centered, guided by compassion, moral responsibility and the sacredness of life.”
Rejecting Hate Speech and Reclaiming the Moral Space of Dialogue
Archbishop Nikitas reiterated that CEC rejects all forms of hate speech and violence, reminding participants that every human being “is created in the image and likeness of God and, therefore, worthy of respect and compassion.”
Language, he noted, possesses great power: “While we know that words can heal and build bridges, they can also wound and cause serious damage… When language is used to divide or to dehumanize, it harms not only individuals but also the moral fabric of our society.”
Freedom of expression, he insisted, must always carry moral responsibility: “We must preserve the space for honest and respectful dialogue – the freedom of expression, though, comes with the responsibility to use our words and expressions wisely and, if I might add, carefully.”
He called on leaders and citizens alike to embrace “education, empathy and bridge-building,” stressing that overcoming hate is fundamentally “a moral and spiritual challenge, calling each of us to repentance, renewal of conscience, and a return to our true humanity in God’s image.”
Shared Suffering and a Shared Path Forward
The Archbishop also recalled that Christians, like others, have experienced hate-motivated attacks.
“Churches have been vandalized, symbols defaced, clergy and lay people mocked or insulted for our faith,” he said. But he emphasized that this experience is shared by many religious and ethnic communities.
These acts, he said, “reveal a wider loss of empathy and respect, fuelled by fanaticism and ignorance.”
The response, he insisted, must be peaceful and transformative: “Our response must never be one of anger or retribution, but dialogue, education and prayer… hatred toward one group is, in truth, a threat to everyone.”
He concluded with a hopeful message grounded in faith and human solidarity: “Prejudice and hatred are not inborn traits—they are taught and many times what is learned cannot be unlearned. With faith, education, and genuine friendship, we can nurture hearts capable of love and build a better future for all. This is the hope and dream of CEC.”
