April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
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
Priests witness marriages, baptize infants, give children their first Eucharist and attend Confirmations, so they know all about such photo opportunities. While they understand that friends, relatives and hired photographers or videographers will take their share of pictures, priests who spoke with The Evangelist remind people that it's the sacrament, not the camera, that matters most.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
Rev. Dennis Murphy, administrator of St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Rotterdam Junction, generally meets with the photographer or videographer before a wedding. A professional knows where to stand and when to get shots, but an amateur might need to get a sense of where the wedding party will be and how to take pictures or videotape properly."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
Weddings at Holy Spirit Church in East Greenbush don't cause any great concern from a photographic standpoint, according to Rev. George St. John, pastor. Guests and hired photographers or videographers respect his wishes and don't become a nuisance."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
Although Father Halphen allows pictures to be taken during weddings at St. Mary's Church, photographers and videographers are not allowed in the sanctuary or sacristy at any time."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
Father Halphen allows pictures to be taken during Baptisms, but he's thinking about setting a policy because situations can get out of hand when people get too caught up in the ceremony."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
Rev. Lawrence McTavey, pastor of St. Bernard's Church in Cohoes, said that people who attend weddings at his parish are good when it comes to taking pictures or videotaping without being in the way. "I've never really had a problem with it," he said.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.
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