Philippines: Priest Suspended For Using Hoverboard During Mass
By UCA News
By Joe Torres
Some have caught fire. Some have exploded. And in San Pablo Diocese in the Philippines, one got a priest suspended.
A hoverboard — not the levitating board used in the “Back to the Future” movies — is a two-wheeled scooter that is catching the attention of safety watchdogs around the world, as well as church leaders in San Pablo.
Father Albert San Jose of Biñan in Laguna province was suspended from parish duties after using one during Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
“He will be out of the parish and will spend some time to reflect on this past event,” read a statement issued by the San Pablo Diocese Dec. 29.
The priest “would like to apologize for what happened,” the statement said.
A video of San Jose on the hoverboard singing to his congregation before the final blessing of the Christmas Eve Mass went viral on social media on Christmas Day.
“That was wrong,” read the diocese’s statement, adding that the Eucharist is the church’s “highest form” of worship.
“It is not a personal celebration where one can capriciously introduce something to get the attention of the people,” the diocese said.
“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.”
San Jose has acknowledged his actions were not right and promised it will not happen again, the diocese said.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has not issued a statement whether it will ban priests from using hoverboards in the future.