Curia explains position on mobile phone base stations on churches

The Archbishop's Curia has insisted that it had authorised the installation of base stations for mobile phones on churches because they were safe, and they were of service to the community.

The Curia was reacting to various media reports on the issue.

It said the Church was advised by the Department of Health in 2000 that the radio frequency fields emitted from the base stations were not harmful to health as long as international guidelines on their power were observed. It was after this assurance that the Curia authorised the installation of the base stations.

The Curia regretted that some people were trying to give the impression that its only consideration was the money received from the mobile telephony companies.

It observed that the base stations were necessary for many people to use their mobile phones. If the base stations were not installed on churches, which were often the tallest buildings in towns and villages, they would have to be installed on lower buildings, and thus closer to people's homes.