Covid and Christ: Remote, Faith-Based Activities Using Religious Technology in the Catholic Church

Stephen Mcneill
Kennesaw State University

Abstract

Amid a global pandemic, many Catholics may be displaced without a nearby church in which to attend and participate. Moreover, many parishioners are disabled or impaired, or without transportation. Only 39 percent of American Catholics say they attend church in any given week (Gallup, 2019). In an effort to connect and engage the global congregation of the Catholic Church, The Vatican has partnered with an external developer to create Mobile Learning tools. This has culminated in the iOS and Android app Click to Pray and hardware extension app eRosary. Click To Pray is the prayer platform of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network is a pontifical work whose mission is to mobilize Catholics through prayer and action and was founded in 1844 as the Apostleship of Prayer. It is present in 98 countries and is made up of more than 35 million Catholics. This study aims to review the technology and security of the software and design of the hardware, the end-user experience and the primary demographics of those who have downloaded either Click to Pray or eRosary. The associated paper will also examine the idea of authenticity and replication of the religious experience in a remote atmosphere, in addition to uses and gratifications. The eRosary is also capable of monitoring the health of the user, thus providing an interesting example of Mobile Learning device convergence for mind, body and spirit. The presentation will also include a demonstration. Key Words: biometric user interfaces, wearable technology, religious technology, mobile learning, data privacy References: Gallup, I. (2019). Catholics' Church Attendance Resumes Downward Slide. [online] Gallup.com. Available at: https://news.gallup.com/poll/232226/church-attendance-among-catholics-resumes-downward-slide.aspx [Accessed 01 Oct. 2019]. https://www.fastcompany.com/90417708/the-popes-first-wearable-is-a-110-rosary-that-tracks-your-prayers https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/10/17/20920101/click-to-pray-e-rosary-catholic-church-vatican-prayer-beads https://www.businessinsider.com/vatican-wearable-erosary-young-catholics-prayer-2019-10?IR=T https://www.wired.it/gadget/accessori/2019/10/16/erosary-rosario-smart-tech/ https://mashable.com/article/smart-rosary/?europe=true https://www.forbes.com.mx/vaticano-lanza-rosario-electronico-que-se-activa-haciendo-la-senal-de-la-cruz/ https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/16/world/vatican-click-to-pray-erosary-trnd/index.html https://www.foxnews.com/tech/vatican-unveils-smart-rosary Official Press kit: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-YOVq5N5XNFvcM3AXlTNpUqST2ikVe0k&[email protected]&usp=drive_fs


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