Automatic Holy Water Dispenser: Faith and Science Mix!

And a bit of Italian style helps, too, as this Reuters report shows. The invention is not only terracotta (how long before Pottery Barn starts selling it?) but it keeps alive a tradition that was in danger of succumbing to swine flu fears, as we have reported before.

The terracotta dispenser, used in the northern town of Fornaci di Briosco, functions like an automatic soap dispenser in public washrooms -- a churchgoer waves his or her hand under a sensor and the machine spurts out holy water.

"It has been a bit of a novelty. People initially were a bit shocked by this technological innovation but then they welcomed it with great enthusiasm and joy. The members of this parish have got used to it," said Father Pierangelo Motta.

Luciano Marabese, who invented the dispenser, tells Reuters that said he did so out of concern that "fear of swine flu was eroding traditions."

And who says the church can't adapt?