iPad ban in pulpit for priests

Monsignor John Harrison. Photo / Barry Kelk

Kiwi Catholic priests have been forbidden from using iPads in the pulpit.

The New Zealand Bishops have told their priests only the official printed copy of the Roman Missal, a book containing sacred words and prayers, may be used at Mass and other ceremonies.

The NZ Catholic Bishops Conference, the group overseeing local rules and regulations, said iPads were "inappropriate", despite the worldwide church embracing social networking.

It was revealed last month Pope Benedict XVI used the latest hand-held technology to stay in touch with his flock. The 84-year-old Pontiff launched a new Vatican website via his iPad. He also tweets.

Monsignor John Harrison, priest at Dunedin's St Joseph's Cathedral, told the Herald on Sunday his iPad was a "tool of the trade".

"I am on the move a lot and it is ideal for picking up and sending messages."

However, he had no problem with the ruling that Catholic bishops should not use electronic devices when leading Mass.

"They are not very practical, anyway. When you scroll down, it is easy to jump to the wrong place or make the text so big or small it becomes impossible to read," he said.

The ban was imposed after Catholic bishops asked to use iPads instead of the weighty 1475-page Missal in English and Maori that was introduced in March.