Archbishop Morel Diplán warns of technology's impact on family communication

Monsignor Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán, the coadjutor archbishop of Santo Domingo, has issued a warning regarding the weakening of family structures and the erosion of communication within households. Speaking at the XXIX Pan y Vino Encounter-Concert held at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), the religious leader emphasized that the family is the fundamental institution where individuals learn to coexist and assume social responsibilities.

Morel Diplán identified the excessive use of technology—including cell phones and computers—as a primary challenge. He noted that while these tools are designed to connect people, they often cause family members to interact more with their devices than with each other, leading to a loss of direct dialogue between parents, children, and partners.

The archbishop linked the weakening of family bonds to increased social issues, including stress, anxiety, confrontation, and violence. He argued that because the home is the primary site for transmitting values and forming citizens, the decline of the family ultimately impacts the stability and functioning of all other social institutions.