2024-04-29 07:28:19
In an open conversation of the Internet show “Proto industrija” about how the work of the Church is organized, what strategies are used to attract followers, Erik Viršilos is interviewed, he openly tells how he discovered his vocation, reveals what the number of believers depends on and shares other intriguing details of his life.
– Why do you think the Church is still a rather closed organization surrounded by various myths?
– I think that the myth of “Shadows of Altars” has grown in Lithuania. Everyone has read this work of literature and has a certain image. However, if we look at how it really is, we will see that the reality does not coincide with this at all.
– However, there is no other, modern book about the Church. In general, she is probably under enormous pressure to modernize?
– When we talk about modernization, everyone thinks only about the last century. However, it must be remembered that universities, hospitals, and the arts originated from the Church. The big bang theory was also discovered by a monk. In addition, we constantly have documents that talk about how to continue to modernize, we discuss about artificial intelligence. But with the current momentum, we see that not everything that is new is guaranteed to be good. The Church is not inclined to change everything quickly, throw away everything old and start anew. However, it grows and uses new things.
– Why are churches empty?
– As for Lithuania, it is due to demographic reasons. In Europe, this is due to a change in culture. However, the number of believers in Africa or Asia is growing. There are 2,000 clergymen in Vietnam alone. Sometimes it seems that there is a parish where people are just dying and it will have to be closed. But then a new pastor arrives, who brings a dynamic, and the parish flourishes.
– I would say that the priests were the first opinion makers who spread the word and gathered followers. Also, you say that following a change in pastor can increase or decrease. Hence, you apply similar strategies as in business.
– If I had to single out one main opinion maker, I would say that it is Jesus Christ, because it was he who changed the world’s way of thinking.
– You probably always try to speak in a language understandable to the common man, not in theological phrases?
– Often, if you ask what kind of God agnostics imagine and what kind of God they don’t believe in, it turns out that the Church itself doesn’t believe in such a God either. It is important to understand what the teaching of the Church really is. This is one of the biggest challenges.
– Have social networks influenced the Church?
– They have had a greater impact on people’s communication and thinking, which also changes the Church.
– Did you have to use ChatGPT while writing the sermon?
– Yes. While preparing the sermon for February 16 commemoration, I asked ChatGPT what should be done to keep Lithuania free? During the sermon, I quoted the answers I received, I told the believers that I used ChatGPT, and he replied that these points would be important.
– How often do you travel? After all, you also have international duties.
– I traveled 100,000 km last year due to international duties. miles, which is four times around the world. When I was elected president of the European Conference Council, I thought that I would have to travel only in Europe, but later it turned out that there are also intercontinental visits. I have been to Africa twice already. The Church is a secular organization, although we often think of it only in terms of our parish.
– I saw you once at the airport, you were wearing headphones. I wonder what the archbishop is listening to?
– If I travel, then I listen to prayers. Also audiobooks, song playlists.
– Can a priest accumulate wealth?
– Yes. He must not take vows of poverty like a monk. However, he is advised to avoid luxury. The Christian life itself should limit the pursuit of luxury. The same applies to the lay Catholic, who is not forbidden to accumulate wealth, but is encouraged to use it for good. Not to accumulate for yourself, but to share.
– Do you manage to escape from your duties, to be just a person?
– Not to escape, but to rest, yes. However, when I am asked if I ever think about my work, I answer: does a mother ever think about her family concerns, children?
– You yourself worked for five years in one of the largest IT companies in the world, IBM. What happened in your life that made you choose the path of the clergy?
– The turning point happened when I had the opportunity to be promoted at IBM. I had a full day of interviews waiting for me. While preparing for them, I began to think, what do I really want from life, what do I need? I started writing a list of things I wanted to do. It included: law, counseling, public speaking, psychology… After finishing the list, I realized that a priest does all those things.
– Was it a challenge for you to organize the 1992 Pope John Paul II’s visit to Lithuania?
– There is a challenge for everyone (laughs). However, when I was working at IBM, I was the head of the World Lithuanian Youth Union at the same time. I had already organized the World Lithuanian Youth Congress in Australia in 1987-1988. It was a three-week congress attended by 300 young people from 13 countries. So, I had organizational experience. Knowledge of English, Italian, and Lithuanian languages also helped me.
– You are not only a clergyman, but also a leader. What are the biggest challenges for you as a manager?
– The biggest challenge and difference from other institutions, such as IBM, where I worked, is the relationship with priests, of whom there are approximately 150 working in the Archdiocese of Vilnius. A priest is like the equivalent of a manager, because he has his own department for which he is responsible. But I don’t have the option to fire him if he doesn’t work properly. There is a possibility of dismissal from office, but not from the priesthood. In this sense, the priest is more like a son to me, a part of the family. If your son earns money, you don’t throw him out of the family.
– When difficulties arise, how much do you as a leader take responsibility on your shoulders, and how much do you leave it to God’s will?
– I don’t remember which of the saints said: work as if everything depends on you, pray as if everything depends on God.
– What do you need to do to become a pope from a bishop?
– It is practically impossible. In business and everywhere else, someone who wants to “make it” just to “make it” often fails.
However, it is normal to have ambitions, to pursue not only pastoral and religious goals. So is it possible to have a career in the Church?
If you come to this ministry, to work in the Church, then God has prepared a plan for you. My life experience shows that God’s plan for us is much bigger than we can create or imagine.
– What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur?
– For an entrepreneur or not an entrepreneur, but to find the way to true happiness, your vocation. Business is not necessarily a vocation. Life has its calling, and business can only be a tool for that.
2024-04-29 07:28:19