The Secretariat for the Liturgy has received several inquiries concerning the celebration of the sacraments via various types of electronic communication. The celebration of the Sacrament of Penance via telephone, participation in Mass via television or the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation via video conference have on occasion been proposed. However, electronic communication via telephone, television, video conference or internet is not sufficient for the celebration of the sacraments. The celebration of the sacraments requires the physical and geographic presence of both the gathered faithful and the bishop, priest, deacon or other presiding minister.
Liturgical celebrations depend upon the physical presence of the gathered faithful.
While the Ceremonial of Bishops enthusiastically recommends large diocesan liturgical celebrations the emphasis is always placed on the invitation to the faithful to gather . Indeed, the idea of gathering of the members of Christ's faithful in one place is fundamental to the celebration of the Liturgy. The faithful from different areas of the dioceses should be invited to gather and, as far as possible, the priests should join them. To encourage and make more convenient gatherings of the faithful and the priests, arrangement should be made for gatherings of this kind at different times in the various parts of the diocese. The clear presumption is that the people are physically present and in the gathering are enabled to enter into a relationship with each other and the priest in the sacramental action.