What started with a simple tweet for Fr. Robert Ballecer is now becoming a reality for tech-lovers all over. Beginning his career trained in technology consultation and engineering in Silicon Valley, the now-priest is creating a server in the Vatican of the popular videogame, Minecraft.
The idea of this game is to open a server for a non-toxic community, where gamers can enjoy an environment where they can express creativity and build relationships with one another.
FR. ROBERT R. BALLECER, SJ
Jesuit Priest
“I wanted to offer one in particular that could be less toxic. You can invite people who want to be creative, who don't want to be toxic, and you create an environment in which people can express themselves and build up a relationship. And the relationship thing is the most important part. That's ultimately what I want to do with the server. It's not about the technology. It's not even really about the gaming, it's about getting people together, who can then maybe move those relationships to the real world.”
Fr. Robert also shows through this game that a person can be a son or daughter of faith as well as understand technology, medicine or other fields of interest.
FR. ROBERT R. BALLECER, SJ
Jesuit Priest
“At first, there were a lot of people who are very hesitant, because you see this guy in a collar, talking about the latest offerings from Google, or what how you run fiber optics across the Atlantic, and they didn't understand this, they said, 'Wait a minute, these two things don't go together.' But after time, people started realizing, 'Okay, he knows what he's talking about. He just happens to be a priest.' And ultimately, that's that was the ministry I was trying to do.”
He also says that the Church can use technology to connect with as many people as possible. Mistakes will be made, he says, but if the Church never tries, they will never find the potential that could come from technology.
The Minecraft server is being tested out but is not yet ready for production. It's currently open to players and is looking for feedback. If you have a Minecraft account and would like to join the server, go to your account and point your client at minecraft.digitaljesuit.com and see what you can create.
