Can the Eucharist be Celebrated in an Online Gathering? A Theological Analysis

Abstract

Can an online celebration of the Eucharist through means of video-conferencing software be permitted? The Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 made the question urgent for many churches; for persecuted or geographically scattered churches it is perennial. This article offers definitions to clarify the question asked, and then two arguments, one based on an extension of currently accepted practices, and one based on the ecumenical doctrine outlined in the Lima text, Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry, to propose an affirmative answer to the question.