Pope: No 'Stairway to Heaven'

Note: The headline in no way presumes to know Pope Benedict XVI's preference regarding Led Zeppelin, but just works with this story from the Daily Telegraph:

"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.'"

I have to say I'm with the pontiff on this one, though maybe not for the same reasons. Mass is about hard, uncomfortable pews, boring lectors and bad singing -- and everybody knows Catholics are the worst singers. I find it rather off-putting to try to turn it into a hip social event, because everything has its place -- go to Mass if you want to pray, go to Staples Center if you want a concert. The same theory with "Christian rock": In my mind, there's church music a la "Ave Maria," and there's rock music -- and I don't really care how and where rock artists worship.

And that's my sermon for today...

Comments

[Reaps]

If it prevents a Creed reunion, I'm all for it!

[Lewis B. Sckolnick]

Well Mass used to rock.

[Jingoistic Jon]

I challenged the Pope to come to Kansas City and find a 10:45am Sunday worship service that isn't set to "Contemporary Music." Perhaps if he comes here there would be some changes....

[NerdMom]

Sorry Babe but I think you are way off base with your analysis. I had to make my own post (be nice if you read it;).

[Bridget]

I expected nothing less from you, Jackie, having known you for so long! But this isn't about being into self-flagellation or anything, just liking Mass as a quiet time to pray. Your headline, though, says the pope banned modern music, which he did not; he suggested that the newfangled services tone it down and respect traditional Catholic music. Big difference between a papal opinion and a papal edict.

[NerdMom]

The article did say "demanded". I do understand that this is not quite an edict (something to with the hat or something;) but it is stronger than an opinion.

[Bridget]

"Demanded" was the reporter's choice of word. Much of the press, particularly in Europe, has tried to make Ratzinger look bitchy even though he's thrown them a curve by not exactly being a "rottweiler."

You may remember after Pope John Paul II came out in opposition against the Iraq War, and the press was jumping all over it like it was an edict. But even though that was the pope's strong stance, Catholics were not obliged to follow suit and could make up their own opinions as they interpreted just-war doctrine in light of the Saddam situation.

(Hat??)