III. Practical Directives
8. The regulation of the use of churches is stipulated
by canon 1210 of the Code of Canon Law:
In a sacred place only those things are to be
permitted which serve to exercise or promote worship,
piety and religion. Anything out of harmony with
the holiness of the place is forbidden. The Ordinary
may, however, for individual cases, permit other
uses, provided they are not contrary to the sacred
character of the place.
The principle that the use of the church must
not offend the sacredness of the place determines
the criteria by which the doors of a church may
be opened to a concert of sacred or religious music,
as also the concomitant exclusion of every other
type of music. The most beautiful symphonic music,
for example, is not in itself of religious character.
The definition of sacred or religious music depends
explicitly on the original intended use of the
musical pieces or songs, and likewise on their
content. It is not legitimate to provide for the
execution in the church of music which is not of
religious inspiration and which was composed with
a view to performance in a certain precise secular
context, irrespective of whether the music would
be judged classical or contemporary, of high quality
or of a popular nature. On the one hand, such performances
would not respect the sacred character of the church,
and on the other, would result in the music being
performed in an unfitting context.
9. Sacred music, that is to say music which was
composed for the Liturgy, but which for various
reasons can no longer be performed during a liturgical
celebration, and religious music, that is to say
music inspired by the text of sacred scripture
or the Liturgy and which has reference to God,
the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the saints or to the
Church, may both find a place in the church building,
but outside liturgical celebration. The playing
of the organ or other musical performance, whether
vocal or instrumental, may: serve to promote piety
or religion. In particular they may:
a. prepare for the major liturgical feasts,
or lend to these a more festive character beyond
the moment of actual celebration;
b. bring out the particular character of the
different liturgical seasons;
c. create in churches a setting of beauty conducive
to meditation, so as to arouse even in those
who are distant from the Church an openness to
spiritual values;
d. create a context which favors and makes accessible
the proclamation of God's word, as for example,
a sustained reading of the Gospel;
e. keep alive the treasures of Church music
which must not be lost; musical pieces and songs
composed for the Liturgy but which cannot in
any way be conveniently incorporated into liturgical
celebrations in modern times; spiritual music,
such as oratorios and religious cantatas which
can still serve as vehicles for spiritual communication;
f. assist visitors and tourists to grasp more
fully the sacred character of a church, by means
of organ concerts at prearranged times.
10. When the proposal is made that there should
be a concert in a church, the Ordinary is to grant
the permission 'per modum actus.' These
concerts should be occasional events. This excludes
permission for a series of concerts, for example
in the case of a festival or a cycle of concerts.
When the Ordinary considers it to be necessary,
he can, in the conditions foreseen in the Code
of Canon Law (Canon 1222, paragraph 2) designate a church
that is no longer used for divine service, to be
an auditorium for the performance of sacred or
religious music, and also of music not specifically
religious but in keeping with the character of
the place.
In this task the bishop should be assisted by
the diocesan commission for Liturgy and sacred
music.
In order that the sacred character of a church
be conserved in the matter of concerts, the Ordinary
can specify that:
a. Requests are to be made in writing, in good
time, indicating the date and time of the proposed
concert, the program, giving the works and the
names of the composers.
b. After having received the authorization of
the Ordinary, the rectors and parish priests
of the churches should arrange details with the
choir and orchestra so that the requisite norms
are observed.
c. Entrance to the church must be without payment
and open to all.
d. The performers and the audience must be dressed
in a manner which is fitting to the sacred character
of the place.
e. The musicians and the singers should not
be placed in the sanctuary. The greatest respect
is to be shown to the altar, the president's
chair and the ambo.
f. The Blessed Sacrament should be, as far as
possible, reserved in a side chapel or in another
safe and suitably adorned place (cf. Code of Canon Law, Canon 938, paragraph 4).
g. The concert should be presented or introduced
not only with historical or technical details,
but also in a way that fosters a deeper understanding
and an interior participation on the part of
the listeners.
h. The organizer of the concert will declare
in writing that he accepts legal responsibilities
for expenses involved, for leaving the church
in order and for any possible damage incurred.
11. The above practical directives should be of
assistance to the bishops and rectors of churches
in their pastoral responsibility to maintain the
sacred character of their churches, designed for
sacred celebrations, prayer and silence. |
