A website has been set up in Italy whereby hundreds of priests from all over the country can offer pastoral help and advice on the Internet but not the sacraments.

Called Pretionline.it, users can request to hear the advice of a priest, all of which is given in confidence. Each priest is listed according to his region, and under his listing is a short bio and statement of his area of expertise. There are 825 priests registered to help on the site, and some limit their pastoral skills only to certain groups, such as the lonely and the sick. Others specialize in exorcisms, helping widows or parents who have lost children.

Each priest is listed according to his region and position, and under his listing is a short bio and statement of his area of expertise. There are 825 priests, bishops, deacons, religious and seminarians registered to help on the site, 627 of whom are diocesan priests. Some limit their pastoral skills only to certain groups, such as the lonely and the sick. Others specialize in exorcisms, helping widows or parents who have lost children.

The venture has the blessing of Italy’s bishops, but they warn the Internet cannot be used to give or receive the sacraments.

“Contacting a priest via the Web can be useful to get advice, opinions, suggestions and encouragement,” said the general secretary of the Italian bishops’ conference, Bishop Mariano Crociato. “But neither confession nor true spiritual direction is possible through this form of telecommunication.”