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Is it acceptable to use an iPad for the Gospel?

The answer to this very contemporary question was supplied by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum University.
Is it acceptable to use an iPad for the Gospel?
Published: June 13, 2012 06:31 AM GMT
Updated: June 13, 2012 06:31 AM GMT

Q: I want to know if the spirit of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal will allow the use of the iPad for the reading of the Gospel by the priest? What does he venerate then -- the iPad or the Book of the Gospels? -- H.A., Lashibi, Ghana A: So far the universal Church has made no official pronouncement regarding the use of electronic tablets in the liturgy. At least one cardinal, celebrating in his cathedral, has publicly used a tablet in lieu of a missal, but this does not constitute official ratification. In contrast, a recent statement from the bishops of New Zealand said that tablets should not be used for Mass and other public rituals. Hence what I say has no official standing whatsoever. I limit myself to what I consider to be the liturgical principles involved. Although I use a computer, I admit that I am no technology buff and have so far managed to survive without even a mobile phone much less a tablet. With respect to using phones or tablets I do not see any great difficulty in a priest or anybody else using these instruments to pray the breviary, especially while traveling. With respect to using a tablet to substitute the missal, lectionary and Book of the Gospels at Mass I would be much more hesitant. On the one hand, it can be argued that the liturgical books, like any other book, are a means of conserving and transmitting information. In this sense the tablet fulfills the same function as the printed page but with some added advantages. For example, the tablet can contain all the ritual books in one place, and it allows the celebrant to switch the text from one language to another as needed and adjust the letter size to his own comfort level. On the other hand, there is a principle which, while not essential to liturgy, should be weighed very carefully before using such instruments. The Church has traditionally reserved the objects used in the liturgy exclusively for the sacred functions. Because of this, these objects generally receive a blessing which separates them from all other uses. Full Story: USING AN IPAD AT THE GOSPELSource:Zenit

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