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| Archbishop Wiktor Skworc |
Polish dioceses maintain - from what I have read so far - strict Policy guidelines for concerts in churches. In Katowice, the policy insists that all concerts be of a sacred nature. The local Ordinary must be informed with any proposed sacred concert to review and give approval. Local pastors have been given prior approval to only allow Carol concerts and organ recitals. The clothing worn and behaviour of the performer/s must reflect the sacredness of the church. Likewise performers are forbidden into the Sanctuary area. Canon 934.4 on the Blessed Sacrament centrality for the life of the church, and It must be removed prior to any sacred concerts.
The Katowice document cites canon law (1210 as foundational) as well as the Magisterium of the Church: Sacrosanctum Concilium, Musicam Sacram, and the 1987 protocol from the Congregation of Divine worship and Discipline of the Sacraments.
Can. 1210 Only those things which serve the
exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred
place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In
an individual case, however, the ordinary can permit other uses which are not
contrary to the holiness of the place.
Warsaw too, has regular Sacred performances program. Below are two typical examples. A picture tells a story...
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| Eastern orthodox choir in Warsaw |
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| Orchestra in a Warsaw church |
And now to Canada.... First, we have Toronto...
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| Cabaret performance in St. Michael's Cathedral |
Secondly, Montreal...
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| Fashion Show in the Sanctuary of Sainte-Angele |
Is nothing sacred? How can canon law be so openly violated? Where were the church authorities? Where was Cardinal Collins and Cardinal Turcotte? Both Toronto and Montreal were "contrary to the holiness of the place".
And where were the faithful when these events transpired? How could they attend and not protest? Have they been so desensitized to the sacred? Do they no longer know what is and is not appropriate in a church? Do they have the faith? Do they believe - really believe? Pope Emeritus Benedict identified that we have a crisis in the faith. We certainly do.
It would seem canon 1210 is very clear about the matter. The event is either consistent with the holiness of the place, or it isn't. So I see no point in insisting on having some kind of "policy." Now the Cathedral has to explain how a pop concert is consistent with the holiness of the place. TS
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