Father Alberto Ravagnani of Milan has sparked some controversy by sharing his nutritional insights on Instagram.
With over 270,000 followers, this charismatic priest recently posted a video endorsing a range of health supplements from the brand Bond. The video, shot in an energetic and casual style, showcased his daily activities, including time with his family, church prayers, and gym workouts.
“Prayer is not enough, little ones, So: Bond Supplements,” he expressed to his audience. “[They] don’t make me become Superman or Jesus Christ, but they help me to remain myself at my best.”
The video was marked as a paid partnership with Bond Supplements, further detailed in Ravagnani’s post caption.
“Holy yes, but also healthy,” he wrote, encouraging his followers to visit the link in his bio leading to the Bond Supplements shop.
However, this promotional content did not sit well with many of his followers, as evidenced by the critical comments on his post.
“You are crossing the line Don, a priest must do something else. Forgive me but I mean it… [May] the Lord help you to discern,” a concerned viewer commented.
“Dear Don Alberto, you threw yourself into the world and that’s not good for you and for us. Go back to tradition, only there you will find the true way. Keeping you in my prayers,” another added.
While some acknowledged his editing prowess, they questioned his priorities: “A priest who spends more time promoting his own image than caring for souls has already stopped – in fact – being so.”
“This is not about using social media to evangelise. It’s all about using it to escape. Escaping from a life that, perhaps, was never really wanted,” they continued.
They argued that true happiness in priesthood doesn’t involve self-promotion, raising larger questions about the influence of capitalism on personal branding.
“I am completely speechless. I think that soon we will see that he will abandon his clothes, a little too much in the world… What a disappointment,” another viewer lamented.
Others accused Ravagnani of leading followers astray with his sponsored content and labeled him a ‘narcissist.’
In response, the 32-year-old defended his actions by explaining that his social media endeavors are a means to raise funds for his parish.
“Try asking your pastor how he collects parish money,” he explained. “Festivals, markets, collaborations with local companies, etc. Here, I do the same, but online.”
According to the Mail Online, the bishop of Ravagnani’s parish has cautioned him that such adverts are ‘inappropriate’ and will require approval before future publication.