Virtual Catholicism? A Phenomenological and Psychosomatic Critique

ABSTRACT:Are virtual celebrations a viable long-term option for the Catholic liturgy? How do they relate to the psychosomatic unity of the human being? This paper first explores this unity from a phenomenological perspective. It then examines why virtual liturgies drastically curtail the role of the body in the natural order. As a next step, it presents the psychosomatic unity in the order of grace in its sacramental, ecclesiological, and eschatological dimensions through Pope St. John Paul II's "Theology of the Body." The paper concludes that, while virtual liturgies may be extraordinary concessions for a time of crisis, they are not suitable for a permanent ordinary celebration because of the problems with the psychosomatic constitution of the human being.