Church in India Issues Guidelines for Online Streaming of Liturgical Celebrations

Bangalore, April 3, 2025 (CCBI): The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has introduced new guidelines regulating the online transmission of Holy Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Titled “Guidelines for the Electronic Transmission of the Celebration of the Eucharist and Other Liturgical Services”, the document was officially issued on March 25, 2025, and made public on April 3, 2025.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI, emphasized the importance of maintaining the theological, spiritual, and liturgical integrity of online liturgical broadcasts. In a special circular to the faithful, he stated, “These Guidelines ensure that liturgical celebrations transmitted via electronic media retain their sacredness and reverence. While online broadcasts offer spiritual benefits, they do not replace the ideal and normative form of physical participation in the liturgy, as affirmed by the Second Vatican Council in Sacrosanctum Concilium (n. 7).”

The Guidelines were formulated after extensive discussions during the 94th and 95th Executive Committee Meetings of the CCBI in May and September 2024 and received final approval at the 36th Plenary Assembly in February 2025. They are now binding on all bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and laypersons involved in the electronic dissemination of liturgical celebrations within the Latin Church in India.

By setting clear norms for online liturgical broadcasts, the CCBI aims to preserve the sanctity of the Eucharist and foster deeper spiritual participation among the faithful, whether attending in person or through digital platforms.

CCBI guidelines can be accessed using the link below

https://shorturl.at/NKs94

By Dr. Stephen Alathara