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."

[Suzy Quzy]

Thanks..?

[twigs]

I agree too. I'm getting ready to look for another church to see if I can find one that worships rather than entertain through music. My dau sings at our church and I went with her last week to find an accompaniment CD for her. I listened to a lot of the music and was just horrified. It was all about "me"--how I love the Lord, but more likely what He did for ME. Now, that has a place. But this is almost ALL the music. I really miss the old music that not only has beautiful music for corporate worship, but has words that is about who our God is.

[AnAmericanMother]

Don't want to leave you all out!

Whoooo Hoooooo! Three cheers for our good Pope!

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[tbird5]

I hate the old south, baptist type, music.

[dfwgator]

LOL!

[The Red Zone]

if you wanna sound evangelical, BE evangelical

[Cinnamon]

this is not gonna sit well with the Rock Band Christians.. LMAO!

[Alkhin]

Having grown up participating in those guitar masses, I have to say I dont blame the Pope for saying something about this. However, I do think it rather silly to say no "new" music ever. I think what a lot of churches have moved away from is keeping to the Liturgy. Now all the music is the Christian Rock which doesnt have anythng but a Protestant focus and slant on things...whereas the guitar/folk choirs I helped lead were diligent in remaining true to the Liturgy and the theme of the Church seasons. We considered our music as backup to the priest, not as a set piece for entertainment and the priest was just a nice little formality to wrap it all up.

At one point or another, all those "old, traditional" songs were Brand New. I have come to appreciate the Older stuff now, but it is also fun for me to listen to the songs and try to pick out what time period they were from. Certain eras have prevalent styles and its because those songs reflected a newness of their time.

[billbears]

"Updating sacred music is possible, but this cannot happen unless it follows the tradition of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphony," the pontiff said

Well of course!! I remember reading right there in my Bible the requirements for music to be either of the tradition of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphony

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."

Well yeah...no clapping that's right out.

But hey whatever floats your boat. I'm not much on some of the 'new' worship services myself. Not to this level though

[Kenny Bunkport]

I agree with the Pope too, and I'm not even Catholic. And I agree with your comment: contemporary "worship" music is more entertainment than worship.

[The Red Zone]

entertainment vs worship is in the attitude of the beholder

[Military family member]

What about modern arrangements of tranditional music? Our church plays almost all its music on guitars, and asynthesizer with drums, horns and occassionally a bass. My son plays drums on occasssion and it has actually made him more interested in the church, especially since the church seems interested in his talents.

IT is interesting that the Pope likes Bach and Mozart--two musicians who shattered the molds when its came to the music of their respecitve times. Both were considered extremely radical.

[Kenny Bunkport]

That is true, but it is also in the attitude of the worship team (primarily).

[Suzy Quzy]

Are you a Catholic?? We don't clap in Church unless it's to recognize someone.

[Chi-townChief]

The "guitar Mass" used to be the place to meet babes in the late 60s along with the "coffee house" in the church basement.

[dfwgator]

[Heartland Mom]

Having grown up participating in those guitar masses, I have to say I don't blame the Pope for saying something about this. However, I do think it rather silly to say no "new" music ever.

I agree on no to music that is not respectful, but I LOVE the music of the St. Louis Jesuits, Bob Dufford, etc. I think that if the pope is against this type of music, some young people will not relate as well to the liturgy. I find this music to be inspirational and VERY scripture-based.

[Lutheran Loft II]

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.

[twigs]

There's a place for Christian rock as long as there is a market for it. But corporate worship in church is not the place.