This English priest with 100,000 Instagram followers says he’s tired of comparisons to Fleabag’s ‘hot priest’ and getting unsolicited nudes
Followers are key to a successful religion, but traditionally that has nothing to do with Instagram.
Pastor Chris Lee has more than 100,000 followers on his Instagram account, where he publishes a mix of cute snaps that showcase his family life along with brief reflections and comments on faith and religion.
The 36-year-old pastor is based at St. Savior’s Church in west London and told Britain’s PA News Agency that he uses social media to extend the message of faith far beyond his home church.
“Social media is a tool, it is neither good nor bad, but much of the time it is used for a very vain pursuit in a superficial way,” Lee told the agency. “I try to invade that space with faith, with positivity, with hope.”
Lee has been compared to the “hot priest” character in the BBC TV series “Fleabag” who develops a romantic relationship with the protagonist during the second season, which he told The Telegraph that he “did not recognize it as priestly at all.”
He even mentioned in an Instagram post that he was surprised by a Marie Claire article rounding up “hot clergy,” which he wrote in the caption he thought would be about “faith and social media.”
When mentioned in the same breath as the character has made him some unwanted attention, Lee told The Telegraph.
“I’ve had some dumgy things sent to me – like some women sending nudes or whatever,” he added. “My wife is like ‘right, block!’ ‘
Although the massive following has come with his unique challenges, Lee told the Telegraph that his main goal is to reach as many people as possible and give a fresh grasp of what it means to live in faith.
“There are many nicer people than me out there and my content speaks more volumes … although the look can’t hurt if they compare me to the” hot priest “which is a nice ego boost – but not one I go for”
Lee is one of many knowledgeable individuals from social media from a variety of communities to become popular digital personalities, including children, US military members and ex-cons.
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