Letters

Wrong chord? (letter)

John Daly

Contents - Feb 2006 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Catholic schools: how much accountability? - Michael Gilchrist Cardinal Arinze on the Liturgy: the Mass is not entertainment - Cardinal Francis Arinze News: The Church Around the World Catechesis: Latest research on Catholic school leavers - Michael Gilchrist Education: Catholic Church and her schools face a 'wake-up call' - Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett Liturgical Music: The spiritual impact of Msgr. Richard Schuler's priestly leadership and example - Fr John T. Zuhlsdorf Priestly vocations: the key role of bishops - John Mallon New Age paganism's creeping influence within the Church - Wanda Skowronska Blessed Charles de Foucauld: seeking nothing but God's will - Dr Frank Mobbs The Church of England: beyond satire? - Rev Peter Mullen Letters: Clerical Celibacy (letter) - Fr Adrian Head Letters: All Saints Day (letter) - M & L Morrissey Letters: Ars priests retreat - Fr Robert Markey Letters: Wrong chord? (letter) - John Daly Prayer: The Abandonment Prayer of Charles de Foucauld Letters: Beautiful music (letter) - Josephine Landsberg Letters: Cardinal von Galen (letter) - Denise M. Cameron Letters: Survival of the fittest (letter) - Arthur Negus Letters: Evolutionism - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: Intelligent design (letter) - Paul MacLeod Letters: Homilies (letter) - Robert Prinzen-Wood Letters: Catholic magazines needed in India - Fr A. Joseph Letters: EWTN tapes available - Harry and Antoinette Zwaans Books: Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: The Pope Benedict Code, by Joanna Bogle - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: For the Life of the World:St Maximilian and the Eucharist, by Fr Jerzy Domanski - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: CATHOLIC FAMILY CATECHISM: Disciples' Edition and Apostles' Edition, Fr Tierney - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Events: Virtus - Retreat for Young Men Events: Lecture on the Compendium of the Catechism - Msgr Peter Elliott Books: Stimulating reading from AD Books Reflection: The hidden treasure of the Holy Mass - St Leonard of Port Maurice

Chris Wilson's letter, "Church music" (November AD2000), refers me to (unnamed) "documents that deal with music in the liturgy." In fact, I had already studied some before writing the letter that Chris found so offensive. In particular, I had consulted Tra Le Sollecitudini, Sacrosanctum Consilium, Musicam Sacram, and Pope John Paul II's Chirograph for the centenary of Tra Le Sollecitudini.

In them I found constant references to the value of the organ, a prohibition on the use of "frivolous instruments", and frequent stress on the need for reverence, dignity and solemnity in the music used during Mass.

My comments about the use of the guitar, therefore, had nothing whatever to do with the "quality of its practitioners", as Chris has chosen to interpret them, but had everything to do with the suitability of the guitar as a liturgical instrument.

The fact that guitars have been used during Mass for a couple of decades is no argument for their continued use. As I recall, they were introduced as an experiment in an endeavour to keep the younger parishioners coming to Mass. Well, they didn't work then, and they aren't working now. Young people no longer find folk guitar appealing. It is time to discontinue the experiment.

It is true, as Chris points out, that God has given different people different talents, but that is no argument for insisting on the right to employ whatever subset of our talents we choose at Mass. So, reluctantly, each Sunday I leave my harmonica at home, and wonder why the guitarists don't do the same.

And the matter of giving and taking offence is a two-way street, despite the best of intentions. I find it quite offensive to have the reverent atmosphere following the Consecration shattered by a strident guitar chord summoning me to sing the proclamation of the mystery of faith. I also find it quite offensive to have the reverent silence that should follow the reception of Communion intruded upon by further strumming accompanying vacuous sentiments of so little liturgical value as to constitute a hindrance to, rather than an enhancement of, my thanksgiving.

So it is all very well for Chris to take offence at my letter, but by his own admission, he has ignored many more gently-worded efforts by people who, like me, do not "seek to demean" what he does, but wish only to plead for reverence and dignity to be restored to the Mass.

JOHN DALY
Greensborough VIC

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 19 No 1 (February 2006), p. 14