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Catholic Composer David Haas Accused of “Sexually Predatory” Behavior
Patheos ^ | 6-13-20 | JONATHAN AIGNER

Posted on 06/13/2020 6:36:49 PM PDT by tellw

Yesterday, the Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) revealed that Catholic composer and music director David Haas has been the subject of many credible accounts of “sexually predatory and abusive behavior.”

According to SNAP, the Into Account network, which provides support to victims of abuse in Christian contexts, issued an open letter detailing some of the accusations against Haas: “The allegations we’ve received also contain a disturbing component of spiritual manipulation. Haas reportedly focuses attention on women with past histories of abuse, then uses the vulnerabilities created by trauma to create intimacy. Multiple women have reported to us that Haas is skilled at making his targets feel spiritually affirmed, seen, and loved, with a keen understanding of how that spiritual intimacy can then be exploited sexually.

Some women have described romantic relationships with Haas that felt consensual in the beginning, but were then marked by sudden, overwhelming sexual aggression from Haas, in which any resistance was met with extreme anger. Other women have described incidents that we would interpret as outright sexual battery, involving groping, forcible kissing, and aggressive, lewd propositions. The youngest victim reported to us was nineteen years old at the time of the alleged sexual battery, while Haas was over fifty.”

One of Haas’ longtime publishers, GIA, quickly severed ties with him. SNAP has also reported that the Archdiocese of Minneapolis – St. Paul has begun a disciplinary process against him, as well.

For decades, Haas has been a leader in the contemporary Catholic liturgical movement that arose in the wake of Vatican II, along with Ray Repp, the St. Louis Jesuits, Marty Haugen, Michael Joncas, and Dan Schutte. His music has long been derided by proponents of traditional church music because of their poor poetry, sappy content, and theological weakness. Additionally, they have supplanted the Roman Church’s beautiful treasury of chant and hymns.

Nevertheless, many of his most popular songs have invaded mainline Protestant hymnals, as well. For instance, the Glory to God hymnal that I use in the Presbyterian Church (USA) includes four of his songs. The especially saccharine “You are Mine (I Will Come to You)” has become a favorite among mainline Protestants, and “We Are Called (Come! Live in the Light)” has become something of an anthem for progressive social justice causes.


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; General Discusssion; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; david; haas; music

1 posted on 06/13/2020 6:36:49 PM PDT by tellw
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To: tellw

Sure, everyone is a sexual predator these days.


2 posted on 06/13/2020 6:43:07 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.....)
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To: tellw

I loved the liturgy music he did with Marty Haugen back in the 1980s!


3 posted on 06/13/2020 6:52:50 PM PDT by Artcore (Trump 2020!)
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To: Artcore

Haugen and Haas destroyed Catholic Music and created the Showtime Masses we have today.


4 posted on 06/13/2020 7:16:07 PM PDT by EC Washington
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To: tellw

Isn’t Haas the one who wrote a homosexual-themed liturgy within the past year or so?


5 posted on 06/13/2020 7:23:30 PM PDT by Bigg Red (WWG1WGA)
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To: EC Washington

Perfect description.


6 posted on 06/13/2020 7:24:04 PM PDT by Bigg Red (WWG1WGA)
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To: tellw

From the “LitUrgical Question Box”:

Q: What do you do if you are locked in an elevator with two terrorists and a liturgist, and you only have two bullets in your gun?

A: Shoot the liturgist–twice.


7 posted on 06/13/2020 7:26:13 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana (There is no salvation in politics)
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To: EC Washington

Haugen and Haas destroyed Catholic Music and created the Showtime Masses we have today.

....

I’m no longer a Catholic, I just remember liking some of their music. I didn’t realize they destroyed liturgical music. I can sympathize though; the Southern Baptist Convention and its churches have thrown out a lot of traditional music and hyms for new music that nobody knows the lyrics to.

I’m not opposed to some new music, but it is sad that a lot of traditional music in Catholic and Protestant services is being scrapped.


8 posted on 06/13/2020 7:27:59 PM PDT by Artcore (Trump 2020!)
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To: tellw

A reason not to sing his music.


9 posted on 06/13/2020 8:10:53 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: tellw

I’m surprised to learn he prefers women.


10 posted on 06/13/2020 8:11:07 PM PDT by NobleFree ("law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual")
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To: tellw

The priest who formerly ran our parish forbad the music ministry from selecting any songs by David Haas, St. Louis Jesuits, Marty Haugen, or Dan Schutte. Not sure why, but it was a pet peeve of his. Other junk music OK.


11 posted on 06/13/2020 8:57:48 PM PDT by Marchmain (Is everything interconnected?)
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To: EC Washington

“Haugen and Haas destroyed Catholic Music and created the Showtime Masses we have today.”

True. They are evil predators given permission by fake leaders in the Church.

Haugen, Haas and crew wrote music that was difficult for people to sing and then secured their jobs in parishes. No one but them can sing their garbage.

I remember going to mass and singing their garbage music in the 1980’s and regretting it ever since.


12 posted on 06/13/2020 9:32:29 PM PDT by Falconspeed
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To: tellw

He also writes cr*p music.


13 posted on 06/15/2020 11:15:19 AM PDT by Campion (What part of "shall not be infringed" don't they understand?)
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