Prayer-Soldier writes "
On 18 Jun 10, FOX News posted an Associated Press article reporting that The Rev. Paolo Padrini, a consultant with the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Social Communications, has developed an iPad application that will enable priests to celebrate Mass using an iPad rather than liturgical books.
On 30 Jun 10, the Catholic News Service quoted Padrini as saying, "Liturgical books on the altar will never be replaced by the iPad. This is an additional instrument, not an attempt to get rid of paper books," The comment was apparently made in the wake of discussion as to whether books should be replaced with technology. The Catholic News Service report related that, “Vatican officials were not so certain that an iPad belongs on the altar.”
In a 9 Jul 10, FOX News broadcast, one person interviewed brought up the point that liturgical books used on the alter are set aside for a special purpose. It was noted that iPads are not dedicated to the purpose as a book may be.
In a National Catholic Register blog, by Matthew Warner, posted 28 Jun 10, some disadvantages of using the iPad during the mass were mentioned. These included the challenge of positioning the iPad at the correct angle to read it, or what the priest might do if the iPad's batteries die in the middle of the mass.
It was noted in the Catholic News Service article that there are no liturgical rules which require the use of a printed liturgical book. The article also noted that whether or not the iPad replaces liturgical books on the alter may be a matter of getting past the initial shock affect.
Cited Articles and Posts
FOX News (18 Jun 10)
Catholic News Service (30 Jun 10)
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1002703.htm
My FOX Boston (9 Jul 10)
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpps/news/italian-priest-develops-ipad-app-for-catholic-mass-dpgonc-20100709-fc_8560693
National Catholic Register (28 Jun 10)
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