Now, rapper Wiz Khalifa can says he is not the only one who got in trouble for using a hoverboard. For using the hi-tech, but dangerous toy, during a Mass while giving the homily in Laguna Province, a Filipino priest was suspended by the Diocese of San Pablo.
The unnamed priest has apologized for his unorthodox way of delivering the homily, called before as the "sermon" and probably was given a "sermon" by diocese officials. Rappler reports that the priest will use his suspension to reflect on his "hoverboarding ways."
In a statement, the diocese says, "The priest said that is was a wake up call for him; he acknowledged that his action was not right and promised that it will never happen again." It adds, "He will be out of the parish and will spend some time to reflect on this past event."
The diocese explains that because the mass is the highest form of worship in the Roman Catholic Church, "it is not a personal celebration where one can capriciously introduce something to get the attention of the people."
The suspended priest was likely trying out ways to liven up the homily, considered a time to reflect on the readings and Gospel for the day. However, because many priests often deliver the homily in a boring manner, many churchgoers doze off or become sleepy during this mid-portion of the mass which could last from 10 to 20 minutes.
Some priests resorts to using jokes or delivering the homily in a light manner to prevent mass goers from falling asleep. The unnamed priest tried a different approach, but like many hoverboard users, got "burned" in the process.
The video of the priest from the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Binan, Laguna, has become viral and got more than 14 million hits in one site. He was singing at the Christmas Eve mass "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You," one of the 16 songs from the bestselling Christmas album of Filipino composer and songwriter Jose Mari Chan.