Alberto Ravagnani, a 32-year-old Italian priest known on social media as 'Don Rava', announced his decision to leave the priesthood. The main reason he cited was his inability to respect celibacy.
Ravagnani immediately ceased his functions as a parish vicar and diocesan youth ministry collaborator. The Archdiocese of Milan confirmed his departure on January 31st in a statement signed by the Vicar General, Monsignor Franco Agnesi.
In a subsequent video, Ravagnani explained that his decision was not limited to celibacy. He also had doubts about certain points of Catholic doctrine, felt that the seminary "separates from reality," and desired to live the Gospel outside traditional frameworks. In an interview, he questioned the ecclesiastical structure: "Today, the life of the Church revolves entirely around priests, there is a shameful clericalism. As long as that doesn't change, the life of the Church is not going to change," he stated.
"I am a priest, but I have decided to leave the ministry," he said. "I did not respect celibacy," he added. He also stated: "I will no longer wear the clerical collar, I will no longer celebrate Mass, but my heart will remain the same, finally freer and truer."
During the pandemic, he became a digital phenomenon by publishing religious content aimed at young people on Instagram (299,000 followers), TikTok (146,000), and YouTube (163,000 subscribers). His style combined messages of faith with gym routines, fitness selfies, and the use of tools like ChatGPT to draft homilies.
