“Why Catholics Can’t Sing” on ABC

This is definitely worth a listen: “Why Catholics Can’t Sing” from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, produced by Noel Debien. It is a delightful romp through the checkered history of music since the Second Vatican Council – complete with “Michael Row the Boat Ashore” and “Kumbuyah” and all that.

(Did you know that the Erie Benedictines, home of Sister Joan Chittister, appeared on the Ed Sullivan show in full habit to do ‘new’ music right after the council?! I hadn’t.)

The story takes us through the settling down and maturing and developing new traditions in the 1990s, and subsequent discussions and controversies. Complete with Thomas Day (of Why Catholics Can’t Sing fame) spouting off about whether hymns are liturgical music – I commend to him the relevant sections of the U.S. bishops’ document Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship to broaden his viewpoint a bit. (Hint: see 115d.) But he likes the new ICEL missal chants, which I’m happy to see.

Listen to the ABC story here.

Anthony Ruff, OSB

Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, is a monk of St. John's Abbey. He teaches liturgy, liturgical music, and Gregorian chant at St. John's University School of Theology-Seminary. He is widely published and frequently presents across the country on liturgy and music. He is the author of Sacred Music and Liturgical Reform: Treasures and Transformations, and of Responsorial Psalms for Weekday Mass: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter. He does priestly ministry at the neighboring community of Benedictine sisters in St. Joseph.

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6 responses to ““Why Catholics Can’t Sing” on ABC”

  1. John Drake

    May I present the Erie Benedictines …

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdO3R5MlbxA

    Reply
  2. Jeffrey Pinyan

    Eerie [sic] Benedictines.

    Reply
  3. Anthony Ruff, OSB Avatar
    Anthony Ruff, OSB

    Hahaha. Whoops. I’ve corrected it to “Erie.” Thanks, Jeffrey.
    And thanks for the link, John.
    awr

    Reply
  4. Abe Rosenzweig

    I saw the Eerie Benedictines open for Electric Wizard in Liverpool.

    Reply
  5. Ronald Jones

    I finally had a chance to sit and listen to the podcast. It sounds to me like Thomas Day has softened a bit. I found myself mostly in agreement with what was said by those interviewed. I think the historical background was the most important part of the conversation. I appreciated the level headed explanation of how things progressed and why. I remember Kennedy’s funeral very well. I was in the fourth grade and thought the liturgy to be dismal and depressing (and I was singing in a latin children’s choir at the time). We have come a very long way since then. I do not bemoan what we did in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. I did not agree with all of it (even as a teenager who played the guitar). I look back and see it as a necessary learning experience which helped me to grow as a musician and a liturgist. The gift I thank God for every day (beside my love of music) is the wisdom to understand why I do this ministry and who I serve each day. That is what keeps things in balance and me in check.

    Reply
    1. Lynn Thomas

      @Ronald Jones:
      Ronald,

      Thank you for saying that so very well. I have read so much from people who utterly disdain all of the music from that time; people who seem not to understand that experimentation carries with it the freedom to do things that upon later inspection are found wanting in some respect. In a line variously attributed to Einstein, Von Braun, and a couple of others “If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be research!”. One must fail, in order to really learn.

      And the funny thing is, some of what was done back then turns out to be pretty good. Not all, maybe even not a lot, but there are indeed some gems to be found.

      Lastly, I wonder if the Almighty’s taste in music is a limited as our ideas sometimes are. . .

      Reply

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