The head of a Catholic monastery in Italy has expressed concern over the excessive use of social media and streaming services like Netflix by the monks.
Father Matteo Ferrari, the head of the Camaldoli Monastery located in Arezzo, Tuscany, has raised alarms regarding the detrimental effects of social media and streaming services on the spiritual lives of the monks. He articulated his concerns in a Facebook post, emphasizing that the monks' rooms should be sacred spaces for prayer, rather than venues for consuming entertainment content. Ferrari specifically criticized Netflix, indicating that watching movies could lead to addiction, which in turn distracts the monks from their spiritual pursuits of seeking God.
Ferrari's comments have sparked a discussion about the balance between modern technology and religious life, especially given that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are designed to foster habitual use. With only nine monks residing in the secluded monastery, located in a national park, the institution's fundamental purpose is to focus on prayer and the study of sacred texts. The head of the monastery urges his monks to distance themselves from these distractions to maintain their commitment to spiritual growth.
The issue not only highlights the tension between contemporary digital culture and traditional religious practices but also raises broader questions about how communities can integrate modern technology without sacrificing their core values. The conversation initiated by Father Matteo Ferrari reflects the ongoing struggle that many religious institutions face in navigating the influence of modern entertainment and social media on their members' lives.
