Abstract:
A survey-based quantitative research project in the Catholic
Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia during the Covid-19 pandemic
and its subsequent lockdown is presented in this article. The
Diocese instigated a temporary online Live Streaming Eucharist
and researchers surveyed 771 respondents about their
participation and experience. The data collected raises a specific
and particular question about what it means for Catholic
Christians to be present at a Eucharist – both online, virtually and
offline, in person. This article elaborates not only on the question
of real or virtual participation but also on the presence of the
people as a communion: how they are present. The importance
of active participation, how people dress, how people give
money and how they choose which online worship all need to be
accounted for when developing a nuanced understanding of
presence at the Eucharist.
