Pope Against Pop Music In Mass

Adnkronos International ^ | 06262006 | AKI

[FJ290]

Vatican City, 26 June (AKI) - Pope Benedict XVI has called for traditional sacred music to be played during mass, condemning the ongoing custom of contemporary music at religious celebrations. "Updating sacred music is possible, but this cannot happen unless it follows the tradition of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphony," the pontiff said on Sunday on the sidelines of a concert in the Sistine Chapel. A skilled pianist with a predilection for Bach and Mozart, Benedict XVI spoke against a custom reportedly appreciated by his more informal predecessor John Paul II, who worked very hard throughout his papacy to make the Church more appealing to the younger generations.

In an interview published in Turin-daily La Stampa on Monday, the former Archbishop of Ravenna, veteran Cardinal Ersilio Tonini also condemned the practice saying that "Benedict XVI is right, mass is a meeting with God and to meet God sacred music is better than the turmoil of electric guitars, hand clapping and the husstle and bustle of disorderly sounds."

Tonini said that 40 years ago after the Second Vatican Council "making mass more popular and inviting could be understood." However, the cardinal added, "we exaggerated and now I believe it is legitimate to consider as over this season of breaks with tradition."

[Military family member]

Does this mean we should drop everything and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a pipe organ?

If we accept your argument on its face, then would it not also be true that if pipe organ, classicial hymns, Bach and Mozart, etc., are the "selling points" then the Mass has been similarly reduced in a different direction.

I appreciate the changes made in the translation. I have attended Latin masses in several different states and in both Canada and Mexico. They are beautiful.

Our parish is small but vital and doing its best to keep its financial head above water. Our archdiocese has already cut back the number of the priests in our area. We have on of the large Catholic populations by percentage of population (nearly 68%) of any county in the country. Yet, several of out parishes share pastors, as does my parish.

We cannot afford instruments, so everyone brings what they can and plays from their hearts. Our masses are just as devote as any Latin mass at any parish in the US.

And actually, attendence is soaring. Most masses, we have standing room only. We are drawing people from other parishes in the area.

We sing hymns from the same books as most parishes in the country. For Christmas we joyously sang "ADESTE FIDELES" the complete Latin version, but played on guitars, an electric piano, two trumpets, an electric bass, drums and a choir of 30 children and adults. It was Beautiful.

[AnAmericanMother]

I think you'll like it. As sung in the country in the rural hymn-singings, it's pretty rough-hewn because these are untrained singers and they only know one setting -- double time and fortissimo -- but it's still beautiful music.

Here's a sample.

and something a little livelier . . .

It's worth noting that this music is generally NOT sung in church -- but at all-day hymn singings. Not all of the texts are good for church - but the second one (Wondrous Love) is actually in the Episcopal hymnal (different tune.)

Sacred Harp

Sacred Harp Resources

Since we're very near the Sacred Harp Publishing Co. in Bremen, GA, I sing from the Denson Revision. They had a new edition out in 1990 or thereabouts. I also have the old 1911 edition.

(I spend a lot of time fooling around with music!)

[dangus]

>> I think people ought to be whipped on the way into church, and the pews should be really uncomfortable, maybe with sharp splinters or nails in the seats. <<

Opus Dei??

(joking)

[dangus]

How's this for peurile lyrics. Keep in mind, even the Spanish people don't know what "Allabare" means. Many a soul has been known to sing, "Elaborate."

Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!
Allabare!
Allabare!
Allabare, mi Senor!

[MineralMan]

"They're raising their hands, because they're "Sure"."

OK, then. Never mind. [grin]

[PanzerKardinal]

How come liturgical dancer always remind me of the Chinese Cultural Revolution?

Same pose, same earnestness, same blank smile.

Sort of spoooky.

At least the Chinese are thinner.

[ArrogantBustard]

The ChiComs are better dancers, too.

There's a real disgrace for you ... being worse than the commie Chinese.

[kittymyrib]

Just came back from a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod convention where some pop junk with lots of drums was played during Holy Communion. Disgusting. We once knew how to worship God, but now we worship ourselves. It's all about us and how groovy some old baby boomers mistakenly think they are. Young people just roll their eyes and wait for them to die. It will be good riddance in virtually every church body in America.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

163 posted on 06/26/2006 4:10:34 PM EDT by ArrogantBustard: OBTW, the group of 'ladies' in that picture really is a howlingly mind-bending absurdity.

They definitely look like they are ready for Oprah's sofa. As no doubt will be many of the goofy New Age kooks of the liberal music ministry mafia.

Someone needs to do a study of whenever it was (in the 1970s) that religion became a sort of encounter group free-for-all for malcontents, flakes, and odd assortments of weirdos who go in for acting out in public liturgical dance fits. The Oprah-fication of American religion. If they ever replace the pews with sofas we'll really be in trouble!

[Suzy Quzy]

What the heck is that???

[redgolum]

The Pope is right on in his pronouncement. Now I hope he follows up and actually does away with this music in all masses, Teen masses included. Then I hope he does away with lay readers of Holy Scripture in mass. I say this as an orthodox Lutheran.

He likes Bach, and already has Neuhauss on that side of the Tiber. Could Big Booming Pipe Organs be that far off? BTW, I love Bach and think that to truly worship, you need a pipe organ.

[redgolum]

The old-timey Lutherans (at least the LCMS types) have a lot more in common with the Catholics than you would think.

LOL! I will take that as a compliment! We do have better hymns (or did), but that might change now.

[Suzy Quzy]

What is that date?

[murphE]

The first time I saw liturgical dancers, all I could think of was Harry Shearer and Martin Short on SNL in 1984, with the mockumentary sketch about men's synchronized swimming.

Then you may find THIS funny.

[marshmallow]

Does this mean we should drop everything and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a pipe organ? If we accept your argument on its face, then would it not also be true that if pipe organ, classicial hymns, Bach and Mozart, etc., are the "selling points" then the Mass has been similarly reduced in a different direction.

It's taking hyperbole a little far to suggest that good liturgical music depends on a six-figure pipe organ, wouldn't you say?

I assume you are aware that Gregorian chant is unaccompanied. At my Church (Novus Ordo) we sing the Kyrie, Agnus Dei and Sanctus unaccompanied. No six-figure outlay required.

Furthermore, a smaller traditional organ is probably no more expensive than a set of electric guitars, drums and amps.

My point was very simple and you've jumped to all sorts of silly conclusions. It was that liturgical music should assist in the raising of the heart and mind to God. Too much of modern Church music is designed to provide a "buzz".

What's not clear about that?

[dangus]

Yeah, but you have to admit, Christopher Walker was fun in "Blast from the Past," James Bond, etc.

Oh, right... Christopher Walken. Nevermind.

[dangus]

>> old Rainbow Girls hymns. <<

Xenalyte... a "rainbow girl"... that sounds so cute... try not to smirk... she'll smite you... Oh, no, that's only a smirk, that's a full-blown titter!... What's that? A snicker?... O 'eck. I'm going to be smote for certain...

[Right Wing Assault]

Then you may find THIS funny. From post #194. Yep, all he needs to do is tie ribbons to his hands and put bells and ribbons on his feet. No shoes, too.

[Steve0113]

Placemark.

[FJ290]

Then you may find THIS funny.

ROFLMHO!!!! That was hysterical!