Most of my work work at the monastery's doctor has been trivial. Every now and then one of the guards gets injured by the local wildlife, but I usually find myself treating heat stroke and common illnesses. As such, I have had plenty of time to learn all the priests know about the obelisks.
All told, they are stunningly ill informed about the literal pillars of their faith. They are unaware that the obelisks are actually devices that can be activated, and needless to say they have never activated one themselves.
They showed a flicker of understanding when I described the artifacts I found on the island, however. I shall have to keep digging.