Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen Took Part in the Meeting of the Inter-Council Presence Commission on Public Life, Culture, Science, and Information

On June 18, 2025, a meeting of the Inter-Council Presence Commission on Public Life, Culture, Science, and Information was held in a mixed in-person and remote format at the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The meeting was chaired by Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk, head of the Publishing Council and chairman of the Commission on Public Life, Culture, Science, and Information.

Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen, Chancellor of the Metropolis of Kazakhstan, took part in the meeting of the plenary session.

Metropolitan Kliment opened the session. In his opening remarks, he particularly emphasized the influence of modern technology on the younger generation, noting that from an early age they develop a habit of quick and superficial information consumption, which makes deep and thoughtful reading and the acquisition of knowledge necessary for the development of personality nearly impossible.

Thus, the topic of scientific and technological challenges to the Christian worldview remains especially pressing.

Afterward, the participants proceeded to review the interim results of the working groups’ activities.

The topic “Unity of the Peoples of Historic Rus’ in the Face of Contemporary Challenges” was presented by the head of the working group, Bishop Iosif of Mozhaisk, and its secretary S.V. Perevezentsev.

Protopriest Alexander Abramov gave a report on the progress of work in the area “Artificial Intelligence and Other Challenges of Scientific and Technological Development to the Christian Worldview.”

Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen spoke about the work on the document in the field of Christian ethics and social justice. The archpastor presented the concept of the document in thesis form; the draft was sent to all commission members for review and additions.

The head of the working group “The Church and Cinematography: Prospects for Cooperation in Defending Traditional Values,” N.P. Burlyaev, reported that in the field of cinema, there is a threatening influx of artificial intelligence technologies, which have become a dangerous toy in the hands of mass culture, mainly Western.

Next, M.A. Tyurenkov, head of the working group “Family Crisis and Preservation of the Nation,” spoke about the importance of countering the negative perception of large families in society, which has become a by-product of the pursuit of prosperity and comfort without moral foundations.

Priest Svyatoslav Rogalsky reported on the participation of commission members in an international conference held in Minsk. In particular, E.E. Zhukovskaya presented a report titled “Progressive Challenges to Traditional Societies: Moral Boundaries and Principles in the World of High Technologies.”

At the end of the meeting, tasks for the coming months were outlined for all areas, and upcoming events within the scope of each group’s work were scheduled.