Pastors: Turn off cell phones

He understands why those in the medical profession or law enforcement need to be reached during Mass in his parish, but "if it's just an ordinary person getting a call to pick up a carton of milk on the way home, the cell phone or pager should be left home," he said.

As more people are bringing their cell phones and pagers with them wherever they go, Catholics should remember that church doesn't have to be one of those places, according to priests in the Albany Diocese. They haven't seen many people using cell phones or pagers during Mass, and they hope this trend continues, even if the gadgets seem to pop up everywhere else.

Turn 'em off

"My personal feeling is you come to church to get away from the busy-ness of everyday life," he said. "I think the question is: Why do people not just turn them off?"

Being reachable in case of emergency is a legitimate reason for having a cell phone or pager, but Father Isopo wonders how many people have them for such purpose. "I don't know if they're a status symbol or if people need to be connected with other people," he said.

Wedding bells

"He kept talking as he left the church," Father O'Blaney said. "Obviously, it wasn't a parishioner or someone who's accustomed to coming to church."

Such people give those who rely on cell phones or pagers a bad name. "That's quite a difference from a doctor or someone who's on call," Father O'Blaney said.

Rural quiet

"I've been in church when cell phones have gone off, and people go outside and talk," she said. "Most of the time, it is a distraction."

Cell phones and pagers probably are more common in urban parishes than rural ones, but Sister Fran thinks society in general has come to accept these electronic gizmos anytime, anywhere. "I suppose in one sense, we live in that type of atmosphere and people have that type of mentality," she said.

Timing

"I was giving a homily about it, and someone's cell phone went off," he said. "Our deacon's pager goes off during the Gospel," but that's because he's on call.

Otherwise, cell phones and pagers haven't caused too many interruptions at his parish, but Father Raiche knows that "it's got the potential to be a problem. I don't think it's been a problem in church yet, not as much as in restaurants."

Consideration

"It depends on your attitude. If you have one on you and it's turned off, I don't have a problem with it. The problem is being considerate when using them in public," he said.

Cathedral staff members use them -- not during Mass, of course -- and Father Pape understands why they've become so popular. "They're certainly handy in matters of safety and as a convenience when you travel," he said.

(12-16-99) [[In-content Ad]]