Italy: Hi-tech Holy Water Controls H1N1

Religion has been given a hi-tech makeover in northern Italy.

Fear of swine flu has prompted this church to install an electric holy water dispenser.

Church water fonts traditionally have a communal basin containing holy water that worshippers dip their finger in before making the sign of the cross.

The high-tech version has an infra-red light that triggers a squirt of holy water when a hand is passed under it.

[Father Pierangelo Motta, Priest]:
„It has been a bit of a novelty. People initially were a bit shocked by this technological innovation but then they welcomed it with great enthusiasm and joy. The members of this parish have got used to it.“

Churchgoers are happy with the innovation.

[Martha Caimmi]:
„It’s great. Thanks to this we are not worried about catching swine flu. It is the right thing for the times.“

More than 30 people have died in Italy due to the H1N1 virus and hundreds of thousands infected.

Alarm over the virus has caused Milan’s cathedral to officially suspend the use of communal water fonts.

The electric font has proved such a success here that it may be introduced at other churches.

And despite obvious health benefits, it’s unclear what He up there would make of it.

(NTDTV)