Lights, cameras, sacred actions! Priests balance camera rights with Church rites

Just don't go overboard, say priests.

"I do remind them that this is a church, not a photography studio. The Blessed Sacrament is present and, therefore, they should maintain the spirit of respectful quiet, do what they have to do and do it quickly," said Rev. Marshall Halphen, OSA, pastor of St. Mary's Church in Waterford.

Atmosphere

Rev. Thomas Chevalier, pastor of St. Margaret Mary's Church in Albany, is amazed at how popular picture-taking at weddings has become. "I'm always surprised by the number of people taking pictures. They'll take them from their seats," he said.

For weddings and Baptisms, "we allow pictures, as long as they're in good taste," he said. Many people not only take photos of the ceremony but also videotape the action.

With a child's first Eucharist, things can get a little hectic, so Father Chevalier prefers that people wait until after Mass to take pictures.

"Normally, at First Eucharist, when there's a large crowd, we ask that people not take pictures during the ceremony," he said.

Ground rules

"I tell them what the liturgy is going to be and when the key moments are," he said.

One move Father Murphy considers inappropriate is when a photographer or videographer stands in the aisle when the bride is coming to the altar.

He encourages taking pictures and videotaping for a Baptism or first Eucharist but tells people to use common sense as they capture the ceremony on film. "These [sacraments] become teaching tools as a child gets older," Father Murphy said.

Limits

"We indicate there are limitations, and we suggest that they be moderate in the number of pictures," he said.

Sometimes, people will leave their pews to get pictures of the bride coming down the aisle, and that's when Father St. John might encourage them to return to their seats. "If others start coming up to the front and remain there, we ask them to remain in their pews," he said.

Baptisms, first Communions or Confirmation don't create much of a problem because people know enough to get one or two pictures without causing a distraction, Father St. John said.

Off-limits

"They may come to the center for the processional, the recessional and the exchange of vows," he said.

He also makes it clear that picture-taking during the ceremony is forbidden. "Right after the greeting, I respectfully ask the people to refrain from taking any further snapshots or videos," he explained. "The bride and groom have employed the services of a professional photographer and/or videographer, and they will discreetly capture these moments on film for them." People can come into the church afterward and take photos then.

Stampede

"They come between me and the godparents and parents, and come right up to the font. It's getting to the point where they are interfering with the rite," he said.

A first Eucharist or Confirmation can get crazy, so Father Halphen allows pictures to be taken only afterward. "People stand on the pews and climb over each other, and are more concerned about their pictures than they are about participating in the Mass," he said.

Pew-bound

Professional photographers or videographers have done enough weddings to know when to shoot and where they should be so as not to be a distraction.

When there's a first Eucharist or Confirmation, Father McTavey asks that people remain in their pews, for good reason. "It's not to be obnoxious. It's to be helpful. Otherwise, they block the parents and family from seeing their kid receive the sacrament," he said.

(02-18-99) [[In-content Ad]]