Decree Prohibiting Certain Hymns and Listing Suggested Mass Settings
Bishop McKnight issued the decree following a thorough process of study and review by the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and consultation with the diocesan Presbyteral Council, made up of priests who are ministering throughout the diocese.
Bishop McKnight said encouraging full, conscious and active participation in the Liturgy is the goal of working toward a common repertoire within the diversity of the parishes throughout the diocese.
In the decree, Bishop McKnight also prohibited the use of all music composed by David Haas, Cesaréo Gabarain and Ed Conlin, each of whom has been credibly accused of abuse.
He also forbade the use of specific versions of 12 hymns that are deemed to have deficient or incomplete theology pertaining to the Eucharist. This comes from the document “Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church: An Aid for Evaluating Hymn Lyrics” approved in 2020 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine.
“This part of the decree simply reiterates or concretizes what was already set forth by the USCCB,” Fr. Merz noted.
The hymns were among more than 1,000 pieces of liturgical music the USCCB Committee on Doctrine evaluated under the criteria given in the 2020 document.
The document gives two basic guidelines for evaluating sacred music:
“1. Is the hymn in conformity with Catholic doctrine?” and
“2. Is the hymn expressed in image and vocabulary appropriately reflective of the usage of Scripture and the public liturgical prayer of the Church?”
The composers of these songs are free to revise the lyrics and submit new versions to the USCCB Committee on Doctrine for review.
In the decree, Bishop McKnight also prohibited the use of all music composed by David Haas, Cesaréo Gabarain and Ed Conlin, each of whom has been credibly accused of abuse.
He also forbade the use of specific versions of 12 hymns that are deemed to have deficient or incomplete theology pertaining to the Eucharist. This comes from the document “Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church: An Aid for Evaluating Hymn Lyrics” approved in 2020 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine.
“This part of the decree simply reiterates or concretizes what was already set forth by the USCCB,” Fr. Merz noted.
The hymns were among more than 1,000 pieces of liturgical music the USCCB Committee on Doctrine evaluated under the criteria given in the 2020 document.
The document gives two basic guidelines for evaluating sacred music:
“1. Is the hymn in conformity with Catholic doctrine?” and
“2. Is the hymn expressed in image and vocabulary appropriately reflective of the usage of Scripture and the public liturgical prayer of the Church?”
The composers of these songs are free to revise the lyrics and submit new versions to the USCCB Committee on Doctrine for review.
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight issued a decree recommending that the people of every parish become familiar with four common settings of the sung parts of the Mass.
“The approved Mass settings are included for the purpose of communion throughout the diocese, especially for diocesan liturgies,” states the policy, dated Oct. 24. “The intent is not that they are the only settings allowed to be used, but that all should know at least these settings.”
“The approved Mass settings are included for the purpose of communion throughout the diocese, especially for diocesan liturgies,” states the policy, dated Oct. 24. “The intent is not that they are the only settings allowed to be used, but that all should know at least these settings.”
This is all about providing good direction and guidance. We want to foster good music for our liturgies, because we recognize that music is such an important part of how we worship God and pass along the faith.”
Father Daniel Merz, chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission
The power of sacred music to move hearts and orient them toward unity with God and his entire Church has been evident since Christianity’s earliest days.
“This is a step toward fostering a common repertoire that we see as helping the Church to grow in unity and communion,” stated Father Daniel Merz, pastor of St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish and Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia and chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
He said that toward that same end, the Liturgical Commission is nearly finished compiling a list of about 130 hymns of various styles, periods and liturgical seasons that will be recommended for parishes to include among the hymns they regularly sing at Mass.
Click here to access the list of suggested Mass settings and prohibited hymns.
In order to encourage reverent and beautiful celebrations of the Most Holy Eucharist and to prevent any error or scandal from marring this venerable sacrament, it is my duty, with care and vigilance, to regulate the liturgical celebrations within the Diocese of Jefferson City (cf. Traditionis Custodes, Art 2). After consulting the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, I now wish to implement the following norms for the Diocese of Jefferson City.
Therefore, I
DECREE
that the attached Suggested Mass Settings and Prohibited Hymns shall be promulgated by being published on the Diocesan website, and that it will take effect 1 November 2024, all things contrary notwithstanding.
I would like to reinforce that these rules and regulations are particular law for the Diocese of Jefferson City and are therefore obligatory for all who reside within its boundaries. In order to facilitate common liturgies throughout the Diocese all parishes should become familiar with the suggested Mass Settings. The hymns and composers listed on the Prohibited Hymns list are absolutely forbidden from being used in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Pastors, Administrators, and Chaplains are obliged to see that the norms of this policy are implemented in their parishes and institutions.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City on the 24th day of October in the Year of Our Lord 2024.
The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D.
Bishop of Jefferson City
Mr. Benjamin H. Roodhouse, J.D., J.C.L.
Chancellor
Father Daniel Merz, chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission
The power of sacred music to move hearts and orient them toward unity with God and his entire Church has been evident since Christianity’s earliest days.
“This is a step toward fostering a common repertoire that we see as helping the Church to grow in unity and communion,” stated Father Daniel Merz, pastor of St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish and Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia and chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
He said that toward that same end, the Liturgical Commission is nearly finished compiling a list of about 130 hymns of various styles, periods and liturgical seasons that will be recommended for parishes to include among the hymns they regularly sing at Mass.
Click here to access the list of suggested Mass settings and prohibited hymns.
In order to encourage reverent and beautiful celebrations of the Most Holy Eucharist and to prevent any error or scandal from marring this venerable sacrament, it is my duty, with care and vigilance, to regulate the liturgical celebrations within the Diocese of Jefferson City (cf. Traditionis Custodes, Art 2). After consulting the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, I now wish to implement the following norms for the Diocese of Jefferson City.
Therefore, I
DECREE
that the attached Suggested Mass Settings and Prohibited Hymns shall be promulgated by being published on the Diocesan website, and that it will take effect 1 November 2024, all things contrary notwithstanding.
I would like to reinforce that these rules and regulations are particular law for the Diocese of Jefferson City and are therefore obligatory for all who reside within its boundaries. In order to facilitate common liturgies throughout the Diocese all parishes should become familiar with the suggested Mass Settings. The hymns and composers listed on the Prohibited Hymns list are absolutely forbidden from being used in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Pastors, Administrators, and Chaplains are obliged to see that the norms of this policy are implemented in their parishes and institutions.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City on the 24th day of October in the Year of Our Lord 2024.
The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D.
Bishop of Jefferson City
Mr. Benjamin H. Roodhouse, J.D., J.C.L.
Chancellor
Here is a link to the decree: https://diojeffcity.org/blog/2024/10/28/decree-prohibiting-certain-hymns-and-listing-suggested-mass-settings/
USCCB 2020 doc. on Music https://www.usccb.org/resources/Catholic%20Hymnody%20at%20the%20Service%20of%20the%20Church_0.pdf
with excerpts from the catholicmissourianonline.com
Comments