Bishop advices use of IPad, tablet in lieu of Missal only during ‘emergency’

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Have you ever seen a priest use an iPad or tablet computers in saying the Mass and wonder if it is acceptable?

Even if the Catholic Church is gradually espousing the use of the internet and social media in its evangelization work, Church leaders are still hesitant in embracing technologies and innovation in the conduct of sacraments and rituals, like using the iPad or tablet computers in lieu of the Missal during the celebration of the Mass.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has not yet officially issued its policy on the use of the gadgets, which features electronic Catholic Bible or Missal applications, to replace the tangible Missal, a liturgical book containing instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass.

But for his part, Legazpi, Albay Bishop Joel Baylon personally discourages his fellow priests from using electronic Bible or Missal from iPad or tablet computers to replace the Holy Books.

In an interview with YouthPinoy, Baylon said the iPad or other tablet computers are not made exclusively for the Eucharist, unlike the Bible or the Missal.

“The iPad is not appropriate for the sanctity of the altar. It can be both secular and mundane, making it unfit to replace the Missal or the other books that are set aside for the Liturgy, and the books that are made only for the altar,” Baylon told YouthPinoy.

The prelate, however, said the iPad can still be used during “extraordinary” circumstances, such as during travel or lack of access to a Bible or Missal.

“There are exemptions,” Baylon said, echoing other priests’ position on the issue. “But this should not be for regular use.”

Baylon may be personally aloof on using the iPad or other gadgets to replace the Bible or Missal but he sees their value for both the religious and lay when used as a guide in daily prayer.

“The iPad is not an instrument that is exclusively for the Eucharist but we can use it as our daily prayer guide,” he added.

The prelate, however, clarified that his position on the issue does not reflect the policy of the CBCP despite his being the chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth.

During the first Catholic Social Media Summit, Baylon encouraged his fellow bishops and priests to blog their homilies and establish online presence to gather and care for a “virtual flock.” Together with summit organizers, Baylon rallied the Catholic youth to use social media to evangelize their “unchurched” peers. (YouthPinoy)

One Comment

1. 

   james bryan v garcia

   August 10, 2012 at 10:00 am

   ofcourse. there are practices that should be maintained in the manner it was first done so that the sacredness of the act will be maintained. not only that, there are objects that are not totaly made for such sacred acts like the Ipad. in my humble opinion, this is the least option a priest can use in celebrating the mass.

   Reply