KMT 2022 nr 3 Download PDF

"Spiritual connectivity" in the digital space and the celebration of liturgy

Cite: , „Łączność duchowa” w przestrzeni cyfrowej a celebracja liturgii, "Kultura - Media - Teologia", 2022( 51) nr 3, s. 43-57.

DOI: 10.21697/kmt.51.3

Daily use of the Internet, opportunities for meetings and on-line broadcasts apply to all spheres of life. Because the liturgy is the summit and source of the Church's life, therefore, when the possibilities of radio and television broadcasting appeared, the question was asked about the theological reason for using them, because the sacrament requires a real presence. The paper presents analyzes of theological and anthropological difficulties, and presents the illusions and limitations in personal relationships created by digital communication indicated by Pope Francis. Research related to reading the issues of virtual reality is very significant in the context of the increasing number of broadcasts of liturgical celebrations, due to the lockdown introduced during the pandemic. Many people who use virtual reality are in danger blurring the difference between participating in the liturgy and observing it. Research leads to the conclusion that that the possibility of "connecting spiritually" in the digital space with the celebration of the liturgy can have great benefits. However, this requires the use of precise terminology interpreting the transmission as "spiritual connection" and not as actual participation in the liturgy.

About authors

Piotr Kulbacki

Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II

ORCID: 0000-0003-4139-4328