CIRCULAR NO.11/96-GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF PHOTO VIDEO CAMERA DURING LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS TO ALL PARISH PRIEST AND LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

May 20, 1996

Dear Monsignor/Father/Sir:

Peace in the Risen Lord!

To ensure the important and dignity of the eucharistic celebration, I enjoin you to implement in your parishes these guidelines for the use of Photo/Video Camera during liturgical celebration.

The following church documents on the liturgy form the rationale of these guidelines:

1) “Therefore, it is of the greatest importance that the celebration of the Mass, the Lord’s Supper, be so arranged that the ministers and the faithful who take their own proper part in it may more fully receive its good effects.” (no. 2 GIRM)

2)”This purpose will best be accomplished if, after due regard for the nature and circumstances of each assembly, the celebration is planned in such a way that it brings about in the faithful a participation in body and spirit that is conscious, active, full, and motivated by faith, hope, and charity. The Church desires this kind of paritcipation, the nature of the celebration demands it, and for the Christian people it is a right and duty they have by reason of their baptism.” (No. 3 GIRM)

3) “The presence of photographics and the use of video cameras be required and minimized.” (4th Synod of Cebu, Statute #36, p.22)