Italian monks at a hermitage in Tuscany have been advised by their prior to refrain from using social media and streaming services to maintain their focus on prayer and spiritual life.
The prior of the Camaldoli hermitage in Tuscany, Father Matteo Ferrari, has instructed the monks at the secluded retreat to avoid social media platforms and streaming services like Netflix. He argues that these digital technologies are designed to foster addiction and distract from monastic life, which centers around prayer and contemplation. Father Ferrari emphasizes that the rooms within the hermitage should remain sacred spaces, free from distractions that undermine their spiritual practices.
In a public letter shared on Facebook, Father Ferrari highlights the significant challenge posed by modern technology to the monastic lifestyle. He points out that platforms such as Instagram and TikTok create urges that divert the monks from their religious duties and commitment to divine contemplation. Recognizing the need to address these challenges, he asserts that avoidance of these technologies is critical for their spiritual health and stability.
The Camaldoli hermitage, nestled within a national park and founded in the early 11th century, aims to preserve a life of solitude and meditation, marking a stark contrast to today's digitally-driven society. With nine monks residing at this historic site, the call from their prior serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension between preserving traditional religious values and grappling with modern distractions that conflict with their holy mission.
