Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency/Monsignor,
Cordial greetings from the CCBI General Secretariat!
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), in faithful adherence to the teachings of the Church and in response to the pastoral needs of the faithful, has undertaken the formulation of some Guidelines for the Electronic Transmission of the Celebration of the Eucharist and of other Liturgical Services.
They are intended to ensure that the sacred liturgy, when transmitted through electronic means, remains faithful to its theological, spiritual and liturgical integrity, and continues to be a source of grace for the faithful who participate through such means.
The Second Vatican Council, in Sacrosanctum Concilium (n. 7), affirms that Christ is truly present in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. While the transmission of the Eucharistic Celebration and other liturgical services via electronic media can provide spiritual benefit to the faithful, it is not a substitute for actual, physical participation in the liturgical assembly, which remains the ideal and normative form of participation. Therefore, these Guidelines offer directives to uphold the reverence and dignity befitting a proper celebration of the liturgy and its transmission in the digital realm.
In virtue of the authority granted to this Episcopal Conference in accordance with Apostolos Suos, after due consultation conducted during the CCBI 94th Executive Committee meeting in May 2024 and the 95th Executive Committee meeting in September 2024 and, having obtained the approval of the 36th Plenary Assembly in February 2025, we hereby issue these Guidelines for the Electronic Transmission of the Celebration of the Eucharist and Other Liturgical Services for the Latin Church in India.
These Guidelines are to be faithfully observed by all bishops, priests, deacons, religious and laypersons involved in the electronic dissemination of liturgical celebrations within the jurisdiction of the CCBI.
May these Guidelines serve to enhance the dignity of the liturgy and promote a deeper participation of the faithful in the mysteries of salvation, whether in person or through electronic media, always maintaining due reverence and ecclesial communion.
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, 25th March, 2025.
Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão
President, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India
Archbishop of Goa and Daman