A Catholic diocese in the Philippines has suspended a member of its clergy for welcoming parishioners to the final blessing of the Christmas Eve mass on a hoverboard.
The priest, at the diocese of San Pablo in Laguna, was filmed riding the self-balancing scooter up and down the aisles, to the applause and evident delight of some of the congregation.
The diocese issued a statement on what it termed “THE ‘HOVERBOARD-RIDING PRIEST’ ISSUE” (capitals original) in the form of an image post on its Facebook page on Tuesday night.
“As a way of greeting his parishioners, the priest sang a Christmas song, while going around the nave standing on a hoverboard,” it said. “That was wrong.”
It condemned the priest’s behaviour as an attempt to “capriciously introduce something to get the attention of the people”, and said he would “spend some time to reflect on this past event”.
The statement said in full:
"Last December 24, 2015, before the final blessing of the Christmas eve mass, as a way of greeting his parishioners, the priest sang a Christmas song, while going around the nave standing on a hoverboard.
That was wrong.
The Eucharist demands utmost respect and reverence. It is the Memorial of the Lord’s Sacrifice. It is the source and summit of Christian life. It is the Church’s highest form of worship. Consequently, it is not a personal celebration where one can capriciously introduce something to get the attention of the people.
The priest said that it was a wake up call for him; he acknowledged that his action was not right and promised that it will not happen again.
He will be out of the parish and will spend some time to reflect on this past event.
He would like to apologize for what happened."
The church did not identify the priest.
Comments on the statement suggested the controversy had split the congregation.
Facebook user Helena Horwath expressed approval of the church’s handling of the issue.
“Very good. That is all that is needed. Let’s say an Ave for Father, especially that his vocation be rejuvenated by his time out of the Parish.”
But another commenter, Brian Hughes, said the Catholic church needed to do more to attract young people.
“Look at the faces of the kids? I agree with the formalities of mass but there is something to be said about making yourself approachable. The ‘People’s Pope’ seems to be very approachable, granted it is without the use of a hoverboard.”
More than 8,200 people like the diocese on Facebook.
TWEET YOUR COMMENT