Angry priest installs phone jamming device in church to stop calls

Authors:

oge okonkwo

December 18, 2014 5:18 PM

Father Madonna found that his church services were always interrupted by jingling incoming calls and buzzing text alerts

The constant ringing and beeping of phones during church sermons finally got to a Catholic priest in Naples, Italy who decided to do something about it.

Father Michele Madonna of Santa Maria di Montesanto church was reported to have installed a jamming device in his church to stop his members phones from ringing or beeping during mass.

Father Madonna found that his church services were always interrupted by jingling incoming calls and buzzing text alerts, so he had an engineer fix the jamming device after receiving approval from the local police.

However, some locals want the device removed as they claim it blocks contact card cash devices in their stores.

Father Madonna said: 'I had put signs up asking people to switch off their phones after having services disrupted.

'Phones were always going off during Mass and at other events like funerals which just wasn't on.

'What really annoyed me is that when it first started people would switch off their phones in embarrassment now they are cupping their hands over the receiver and carrying on talking.

'I bought the jammer from a local electrical store and asked the police if it was OK and they said it was - it's great as it has stopped the problem but some of the local shops aren't happy.'

One shop owner said: 'Since Father Madonna started using the jammer I've had real problems using my card swiper for payments.

'It just doesn't work and I'm losing money. Others are in the same position - I understand how he feels but what about us? This is our busiest time of the year.'

Authors:

oge okonkwo