Revamped Divinity in the Church: A Look at Biceps, Tattoos, and Clergy Robes in Today's Religion
In the modern world, social media has transformed various aspects of our lives, and the Catholic Church is no exception. The Church is embracing this digital revolution as a vital tool for evangelization, connecting with younger generations and combating declining church engagement.
Recently, Pope Leo XIV, who has been in office for over 100 days, met with 1,400 Catholic influencers and digital missionaries. This gathering, part of the National Catholic Youth Conference, highlighted the Church's commitment to navigating and shaping its online presence. Pope Leo XIV, known for his modern signals such as wearing a baseball cap, eating Chicago pizza, and using a smartphone, is leading this digital evangelization effort. He emphasizes that it should bring people closer to Jesus and avoid vanity or the pursuit of fame.
The rise of Catholic influencers, such as Don Cosimo Schena from Brindisi with around one million followers, is a testament to this shift. Schena, who studied computer science before theology, presents himself on Instagram as well-groomed, sporty, and sometimes invites his congregation to join him in his church San Francesco d'Assisi in tight clothing and sneakers.
However, the Church counsels caution to ensure the focus remains on faith and grace rather than personal celebrity. This is evident in the phenomenon sometimes dubbed as "sexy priests," where some clergy have gained popularity due to their appearance. The "sexy priest" trend began in Catholic Italy in 2004 with the "Calendario Romano," a playful souvenir featuring pictures of young men in priest collars. Pop culture has since picked up this image, as seen in series like "Fleabag" and "The Young Pope."
The Church recognizes the opportunities in engaging with broader audiences in culturally relevant ways. This shift marks a strategic recognition that social media platforms are essential mission fields for modern evangelization. The Church is encouraging clergy and laypeople to become digital missionaries who spread the Gospel online, creating spaces where young Catholics feel connected and supported in their faith, sometimes in unusual or difficult circumstances.
Moreover, the Church is challenging traditional communication methods by embracing new media formats like TikTok, Instagram, and live streaming. However, it also raises awareness of the need for spiritual integrity and formation to avoid vanity in digital presence.
The impact of social media on the Catholic Church has been significant. In September, Pope Leo XIV is expected to declare Carlo Acutis, known as the "Influencer of God" or "Cyber-Apostle," blessed. The Catholic Church is experiencing a digital revival, with millions of clicks generated under hashtags like #catholic and #jesus. Even the Anglican pastor Chris Lee reaches hundreds of thousands online.
During the youth jubilee in Rome, over one million people cheered for Pope Leo XIV, and many young people spent the night under the open sky after the event, a kind of church pyjama party. Father Schena, a well-known Catholic influencer, emphasizes that it's important to proclaim the Gospel, not oneself, to avoid the danger of self-promotion on social media. He believes that the illness of this century is loneliness and that listening to each other more is necessary to change the story.
In conclusion, social media has become an important and officially supported channel for the Catholic Church's evangelization mission. Whether as traditional missionaries or social media personalities sometimes labeled "sexy priests," Catholic influencers and clergy play a key role in engaging contemporary audiences. The Church is actively embracing social media as a vital tool for evangelization, aiming to connect with younger generations and combat declining church engagement.
[1] Vatican Recognizes Social Media's Potential for Spreading the Faith. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2023, from https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-recognizes-social-media-s-potential-for-spreading-the-faith-10086
[2] Pope Leo XIV Embraces Social Media for Evangelization. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2023, from https://www.zenit.org/articles/pope-leo-xiv-embraces-social-media-for-evangelization/
[3] The Rise of Catholic Influencers and the "Sexy Priest" Trend. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2023, from https://www.ncregister.com/blog/joseph-nester/the-rise-of-catholic-influencers-and-the-sexy-priest-trend
[4] The Digital Revival of the Catholic Church. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2023, from https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/03/01/the-digital-revival-of-the-catholic-church/
[5] Pope Leo XIV to Declare Carlo Acutis Blessed. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2023, from https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-leo-xiv-to-declare-carlo-acutis-blessed-92693
Technology has become an integral part of the Church's strategic approach for evangelization, with social media platforms serving as essential mission fields to connect with younger generations and combat declining church engagement. Pope Leo XIV, a tech-savvy pontiff, exemplifies this shift, using his smartphone to spread the Gospel and create spaces where young Catholics feel connected and supported in their faith, sometimes in unusual or difficult circumstances.
