I’ll confess right out that I have little patience for the direct application of popular music items to liturgy. In the time it would take me to locate a rare exception, I could write a new song myself. One basic problem is that U2’s music, though inspiring to many fans (including my daughter) is, like opera and choral masterworks (also inspiring to many fans like me), essentially a performance idiom.
I’m sympathetic to church leaders who try to impart a certain verve to worship. It’s better than languishing in outdated traditions, crossing one’s fingers and hoping the Holy Spirit will provide.
I suspect that discerning U2 fans would be attracted to any church or religious venue that remained authentic to form and message. And really, seekers are often discerning enough to ferret out that authenticity.
(Found via Margaret Cabaniss at Inside Catholic’s blog)
…wow. Wasn’t expecting you to come down on this side of the issue. Well done.
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Gavin,
While Todd and I have jousted periodically about the merits of this or that composer or approach to composition for music for Mass, I’m not the least bit surprised that he would come down as he did on this issue. Music for Mass and for the Liturgy of the Hours has very specific requirements that the Latest Star With A Religious Themed Song cannot reasonably be expected to meet.
Do you feel the same way about liturgy taking over popular performance formats, as when a million people turn out as a stadium because a popular priest, ie the Pope, is celebrant?
No opinion behind this. I am just wondering when popular elements can be adopted, and when they cannot.