American churches have largely embraced wireless technology, sometimes installing cell phone towers in steeples for the cash. Other churches offer pagers at the nursery. "I think parents like knowing they can be contacted," children's education ministry director M'Lissa Howen told The Dallas Morning News. But being contacted can go to extremes, as Francisco Llopis, pastor of the Church of the Defenseless in Moraira, Spain, found after being interrupted repeatedly by congregants' cell phones, pagers, text messages, and other technology. He installed an electronic jammer in his church, which renders such devices useless. "I ensure that the religious service is celebrated within the parameters of prayer," he said. Don't get any ideas: the devices are illegal in the U.S.
Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere
Articles referenced above include:
Answering the silent call—The Dallas Morning News (March 9, 2002)
Priest cuts off his flock—Associated Press (March 9, 2002)
Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Our digital archives are a work in progress. Let us know if corrections need to be made.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
More from this Issue
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineFractured Are the PeacemakersA Christian reconciliation group in Israel and Palestine warned that war would come. Now the war threatens their relevance.españolالعربيةFrançaisрусскийУкраїнська
- Editor's PickIndia Says It Has a Border Crisis. Christians Say the Solution Will Divide Them.The government plans to close its porous border with Myanmar to boost security, separating ethnic groups that straddle the boundary.