I know of quite a few priests who do this routinely. In this equation the Bishops must also stand up to be counted although, in this instance, the power to obey the Pope lies firmly within the hands of the Parish Priest.
Back in 2006 the Holy Father made a statement concerning the secular music forms being presented at Masses around the world today.
He asked that full attention be given to abiding by the strictures of Vatican II that strongly stated that traditional plainchant and the organ should be the main base of church music.
Why, then is Pope Benedict's more than reasonable request being ignored?
I can only make a guess as to why and that is, the power of the parish council or, if there is a nun in charge of church liturgy, then, almost certainly, she will be the root cause.
The issue of church music is a touchy one. Some years ago when I attended the NO Mass I was asked to write a short piece for the parish mag.
I thoughtfully wrote a few hundred words that carried the heading "Heavy Metal or Choirs of Angels?"
It was a sensitive piece in my usual style (?) but it was promptly consigned to the round file never to appear again.
Parishioners want to be the arbiter as to what takes place musically at Mass and all too often the PP is afraid to stick his head over the parapet and say "No."
Yet the Holy Father has quite clearly said that he wants an end to guitar Masses and to modern 'unliturgical' music, while being fully in favour of modern music in church provided that it reflects the purpose of its use.
Here is the report from 2006 as it appeared in The Daily Telegraph..........
Back in 2006 the Holy Father made a statement concerning the secular music forms being presented at Masses around the world today.
He asked that full attention be given to abiding by the strictures of Vatican II that strongly stated that traditional plainchant and the organ should be the main base of church music.
Why, then is Pope Benedict's more than reasonable request being ignored?
I can only make a guess as to why and that is, the power of the parish council or, if there is a nun in charge of church liturgy, then, almost certainly, she will be the root cause.
The issue of church music is a touchy one. Some years ago when I attended the NO Mass I was asked to write a short piece for the parish mag.
I thoughtfully wrote a few hundred words that carried the heading "Heavy Metal or Choirs of Angels?"
It was a sensitive piece in my usual style (?) but it was promptly consigned to the round file never to appear again.
Parishioners want to be the arbiter as to what takes place musically at Mass and all too often the PP is afraid to stick his head over the parapet and say "No."
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| You may write your own caption to this one! |
Yet the Holy Father has quite clearly said that he wants an end to guitar Masses and to modern 'unliturgical' music, while being fully in favour of modern music in church provided that it reflects the purpose of its use.
Here is the report from 2006 as it appeared in The Daily Telegraph..........
Silence modern music in church, says Pope
The Pope has demanded an end to electric guitars and modern music in church and a return to traditional choirs.
The Catholic Church has been experimenting with new ways of holding Mass to try to attract more people. The recital of Mass set to guitars has grown in popularity in Italy; in Spain it has been set to flamenco music; and in the United States the Electric Prunes produced a "psychedelic" album called Mass in F Minor.
However, the use of guitars and tambourines has irritated the Pope, who loves classical music. "It is possible to modernise holy music," the Pope said, at a concert conducted by Domenico Bartolucci the director of music at the Sistine Chapel. "But it should not happen outside the traditional path of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphonic choral music."
His comments prompted the newspaper La Stampa to compare him with Pope Pius X, who denounced faddish classical and baroque compositions and reinstated Gregorian chants in 1903.
The Pope's supporters argue that the music played during Mass is a vital part of the communion between worshippers and God, and that medieval church music, with the liturgy, creates the correct ambience for perceiving God's mystery.
ends/.................
So just what part of "Don't do it" do parish priests not understand?
ends/.................
So just what part of "Don't do it" do parish priests not understand?
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