While some are okay with it, others think it is a sign of disrespect and distraction for worshippers.

Rev. Msgr Gabriel Osu, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, falls into the second group.

In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he called for phones to be banned.

"People have turned a positive invention to misplacement of priority; such an act does not show reverence to God and should be prohibited in places of worship,’’ he said.

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The director was supported by Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo in a separate interview with NAN.

"Unfortunately, many of us do not acquire that understanding and it is not the duty of the technology companies to enlighten us.

Why should they care because our ignorance helps them make more money, we need an understanding of the use and the dangers of cell-phones, I-pads and all such technology.

The basic principle is to tell the phone and oneself, `I am the master here, not you. I can decide whether to pick you up, when to do so and when not to.’

If people understand that technology also has an underlying characteristic of usurping and curtailing their freedom, they might use technology differently and exercise control over it.

When it then infringes on spiritual space in churches or at prayer, then the matter becomes a real crisis.

We need some public media education in this regard or some programme toward media independence in our school curriculum,’’ he added.

What do you think?