Priest Suspended for Riding Hoverboard Up Aisles During Christmas Mass

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The priest involved has been removed from his parish in the Philippines because of this event, which has been reported in the world news, as this article from a British newspaper shows. His diocese explains that the eucharist demands the utmost respect and reverence. “It is not a personal celebration where one can capriciously introduce something to get the attention of the people.”
see www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/30/priest-suspended-for-riding-hoverboard-up-aisles-during-christmas-eve-mass
 
His diocese explains that the Eucharist demands the utmost respect and reverence. “It is not a personal celebration where one can capriciously introduce something to get the attention of the people.”
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I couldn’t agree more. I’m glad this is being taken seriously.
 
And rightly so. I am tired of “everything” goes. Can’t we at least have one place where the key ideal is respect? Now, if only we could get more people to dress more appropriately when they attend Mass instead of coming in looking like they are going to the beach or a nightclub.
 
I’m glad that this happened. I just wish it would happen in the U.S.
 
I dont see what the big deal is?!? Maybe the priest wanted to bond better with the young adults and teens!
 
Kelly77 said:
I dont see what the big deal is?!? Maybe the priest wanted to bond better with the young adults and teens!
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It was Christmas Eve before the Mass began. The bishop noted that the priest was trying to be the center of attraction rather than the Eucharist! If he had waited after Mass and rode the hover board outside of the Church it would have been okay.
 
Thinking outside the Square shows imagination,Zest for Life, the thrill of joy in the faith,

There are several intuprutations available here
 
phil_at_dayboro said:
Thinking outside the Square shows imagination,Zest for Life, the thrill of joy in the faith.
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The GIRM exists for a reason. For a few hours a week when celebrating Mass, a priest needs to do the red and say the black. The rest of the time he can (within reason) do what he likes. He has the whole of the rest of the week to ride a hoverboard and show what a hip priest he is. But not during Mass.
 
But not when he’s the center of attraction! And not when it’s posted on You Tube. I think if it had not been posted, he may have been reprimanded but not suspended.
 
I can understand when people say this is ‘nice’ and shouldn’t be a big deal, but often those people don’t understand what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is, and why this is inappropriate and why the church officials acted like they did. Its a shame to read those comments below the story. I wish I could tell them why the church spoke out against this.

I can say I’m not bothered by it personally. I know the priest meant well. Its just inappropriate. There seems to be this battle into making the Mass a really comfy funny fun place or making it into a reverent solemn silent place for prayer.

Please everyone, we have enough places on the planet full of fun and comfort… can people wanting to worship The Lord solemnly and silently and reverently have a place to go where they can worship together? Can we have the church back? Seems there is hardly a place like that anymore, let alone adults who act like adults.
 
peter26 said:
The GIRM exists for a reason. For a few hours a week when celebrating Mass, a priest needs to do the red and say the black. The rest of the time he can (within reason) do what he likes. He has the whole of the rest of the week to ride a hoverboard and show what a hip priest he is. But not during Mass.
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I do actually agree with you,
And I don’t know the full story because I wasn’t there,
On the surface of it , it sounds interesting, because a parish must find ways to attract people to the church,
 
And here I thought only the Lord can judge…tho it was a bit much.
 
Kelly77 said:
I dont see what the big deal is?!? Maybe the priest wanted to bond better with the young adults and teens!
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Okay, how about he ditch the stole and chasuble in preference for jeans and a hoodie? Perhaps he could drop a couple f-bombs during the homily. I’m sure teens might bond better in that case too. At least in the US one might say so.

The problem with trying to make the Mass more attractive by emulating the cultural is that you can cross the line into irreverence. We already have many teens that make no sign of reverence to Christ in the tabernacle. I’ve been praying while teens and adults were dropping curses left and right outside the door of the adoration chapel. A church isn’t a skate park or concert hall; it is a place of worship.

The big deal is that it further tells people that simply being in the presence of Christ is not enough reason to be there. If it isn’t fun then why go, right?
 
Ok. It was wrong. But, let’s forgive him and pray for him (something not offered by posters yet). Has me wondering, How’s that Year of Mercy working out for us?
 
Is this priest actually suspended? Is there a source which confirms this? The Facebook statement from the Diocese of San Pablo, which I read, is the source that all the news outlets are reporting on, and it says nothing about suspension or even discipline of the priest, it merely says “he will be out of the parish” and will have some time to reflect on what he did. Frankly this part is so vaguely worded that it could mean he had planned a post-Christmas vacation anyway and no real action was taken against him.

That fact aside, I am satisfied with the Diocese’s action. They responded swiftly, decisively, and made it clear that this is NOT OK. The priest concurs that it is NOT OK. Even if he just endured a verbal reprimand, it is enough, and so much more than your run-of-the-mill bishop would have done to correct an abusive situation.
 
utah_rose said:
It was Christmas Eve before the Mass began. The bishop noted that the priest was trying to be the center of attraction rather than the Eucharist! If he had waited after Mass and rode the hover board outside of the Church it would have been okay.
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Would a priest have been permitted to walk up and down the aisles greeting people before Mass? I’ve seen that.
 
utah_rose said:
But not when he’s the center of attraction! And not when it’s posted on You Tube. I think if it had not been posted, he may have been reprimanded but not suspended.
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there was a thread at CAF the other day posting the video. it was not up very long before it was closed. I agree that it was inappropriate. if he had done it after Mass outside I think it would have not been a problem. it was Christmas Eve Mass and he wanted to be the center of attention.
 
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