Editor’s note: The Diocese of Charlotte’s new policy prohibiting the use of digital projection screens during Mass comes at a time when dioceses are seeing an increasing use of screens during the liturgy. The U.S. bishops’ conference is considering whether to develop national guidelines for technology use during Mass. Locally, discussions are taking place on the Catholic News Herald’s Facebook page. “It’s always hard to make decisions when there are good arguments on both sides, but we believe this is best for the Church and the faithful at this time,” says Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese.
Here’s a sample of what people are saying (edited for brevity):
“To this day I still remember the first time I was at a Catholic church with a big screen used during Mass…I was shocked! … I never dreamed that a Catholic pastor would permit such a thing. … I find the most disheartening thing for me is knowing that a rule like this was even necessary. Nonetheless, I’m grateful for it.”
— Tricia Kent
“I completely disagree with these actions. If done properly, they are not a distraction. Now the church will have to spend a lot of money on hymnals that spread germs, become disheveled and need to be replaced….The church is ‘dated’ in many ways and progressing in a digital format is one way we can keep up with the times…”
— Colleen Fipps
“(Screens) allow me access to the word of the song and to sing, a huge piece of the connection and lifting my heart to God. That’s the thing. Faith is deeply personal. We connect in varying ways.”
— Heather Harris
“Screens remind me of large mega churches, not traditional Catholic Churches. I prefer to take my own missal to Mass and follow along to keep my focus. When I want to sing along then I’ll open the hymnal that is in the pew…Times do change but that doesn’t mean how we view the Mass has to change.”
— Kathryn Hoffman
“This is a huge disservice to many and a step back for accessibility. If done correctly (like they are at St. Luke), these features create a more welcoming church for all.”
— Lauren Rearick Schultz
“Perfect! Great policy. Now let’s get all the tabernacles back in the center behind the altar!”
— Julie Wirtel
“We need to use all the resources we can to keep the people engaged (especially the young) and growing in faith. I would much rather see people with their heads up rather than fumbling with a missalette. Missalettes that are wasting paper, which the pope has spoken against. Children have a much easier time following the words on the screen than looking in a book.”
— Susan Brandenburg
“I find it abhorrent that folks these days can’t use a hymnal. It’s not difficult and folks can challenge themselves, especially when it comes to the faith. Learn some basic Latin. And … learn how to read a hymn as it is written in notation. Using a hymnal is how I learned how to read music. We don’t have to dumb everything down for everyone.”
— Monica Bailey
“My parish projects hymns and prayers during Mass and I find it helping my participation and focus during Mass. Back when we were dependent on books and prayer sheets, it was time-consuming to find the right songs or prayers….What I saw was that people were too lazy to look into books or paper sheets, so from my perspective, I saw less participation with books than on-screen projection.”
— Bao N Do
“The focus at Mass should be the holy sacrifice. Removing screens doesn’t take away from this. I am very happy to not have screens in my face for an hour.”
— Kristina Villella
“For those worried about folks using personal devices for matters other than the Mass during the Mass, here’s my thought: where widespread irreverence already exists, it may indeed amplify. Where reverence and love for the liturgy already exists, however, few if any will break out personal devices. This indeed will be a great experiment to see which parishes have truly cultivated a rich understanding of – and love for – Holy Mass and Our Eucharistic Lord …”
— Brian Williams
“Super sad. Not just about the ‘screens,’ but the expected sole focus on the altar 100% of the time. That’s not the church I’ve been part of for 50 years. I believe God wants Mass to be about the Eucharist, the word, the worship, the music, the community of people.”
— Tim Trautman
“In the absence of screens, my eyes go to the crucifix, or statues, or art, or the adornments of the sanctuary and they all provide something to meditate on or inspire me one way or another.”
— Sarah Wood
“I have seen what technology has done to enhance worship by our children, now that is gone.”
— Joe Brandenburg
“I raised 2 children with needs in a Church without technology while living in Charlotte and did just fine. Church is about reverence, not convenience.”
— Bill Goodwin
“Usually the only items projected on the screens are prayers and hymns, which are not a distraction from the Mass. I don’t understand why the screens are suddenly a problem…?”
— Audrey Alexander Hood
“Listening to the wants of the people? I converted to Catholicism for the One. Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church which is eternal and timeless. It transcends culture, trends and the will of “the people” – thanks be to God! A religion that changes for the will of the people is a man-made religion that does not give God His due but serves self.”
— Tracy Wattleworth O’Halloran