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Nigerian Bishop Warns of Digital Distractions Eroding Prayer Silence
Confirmed
In Short: At the seventh annual general assembly of the Archdiocese of Abuja, Bishop Anselm Umoren warned that the growing culture of digital distraction could undermine the silence needed for prayer and spiritual discernment.
Umoren, a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul Nigerian, emphasized the importance of silence in the spiritual life, noting that constant exposure to digital noise can make it difficult for Christians to hear God's voice, reflect on their lives, and discern God's will.
Reflecting on the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), Umoren noted that digital tools can assist with communication, research, education, and evangelization but cannot replace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Umoren also highlighted the paradox of the digital age: unprecedented technological connectivity alongside growing loneliness.
At the same assembly, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria issued a statement condemning violence that has left dozens dead and over 60 people kidnapped, reflecting that the crisis is a national emergency affecting all Nigerians, regardless of faith.
What's confirmed
- Umoren, a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul Nigerian, emphasized the importance of silence in the spiritual life, noting that constant exposure to digital noise can make it difficult for Christians to hear God's voice, reflect on their lives, and discern God's will.
- Reflecting on the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), Umoren noted that digital tools can assist with communication, research, education, and evangelization but cannot replace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Umoren also highlighted the paradox of the digital age: unprecedented technological connectivity alongside growing loneliness.
- At the same assembly, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria issued a statement condemning violence that has left dozens dead and over 60 people kidnapped, reflecting that the crisis is a national emergency affecting all Nigerians, regardless of faith.
What's still developing
- “One of the dangers is that the digital world often demands constant communication. Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time to keep silence and a time to speak. But the digital world sometimes tells us that we must speak constantly,” he said.
- “The danger is that we can become so busy scrolling, commenting, posting, and reacting — even inside the church during Mass — that we no longer know how to sit in holy silence,” the bishop said.
- Umoren, a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul Nigerian, observed that having thousands of online friends and followers does not necessarily translate into meaningful relationships or genuine companionship, particularly during difficult moments.
- “The digital world has become a new mission territory. Every Christian who has the motivation to proclaim the Gospel must recognize that cyberspace is now part of the mission field,” he said.
- “If we ask a machine to give us information about Jesus, that is different from knowing Jesus personally. Faith is not merely information about God. Faith is a relationship with God. Our digital tools can assist us, but they cannot believe for us. They cannot pray for us in the deepest sense. They cannot replace the encounter between the human heart and God,” he said.
- At the seventh annual general assembly of the Archdiocese of Abuja, Bishop Anselm Umoren challenged Christians to reflect on how they can preserve their faith amid rapid technological changes.
- ABUJA, Nigeria — A Catholic bishop in Nigeria has warned that the growing culture of digital distraction risks undermining the silence needed for prayer and spiritual discernment, urging Christians to resist the constant demands of notifications, social media, and online interactions.
- 25, the auxiliary bishop of Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Abuja cautioned that digital technology, despite its benefits, should not displace Christians’ relationship with God, authentic human relationships, and sacramental life.
- Nigeria's Christian communities have faced sustained targeted violence over the past decade, but the bishops’ statement reflects that the crisis is a national emergency affecting all Nigerians, regardless of faith, and calling for a response that matches its severity.
- “With heavy hearts and deep sorrow, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria once again decries the unabated trail of blood and terror across our nation which has reached an intolerable crest,” the statement reads.