Agonizing Decision. Advice sought

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Yes I remember a similar story where one was fired and the newspapers were contacted and he started giving interviews.
 
If a person chooses to enter into a gay relationship and advocate for things that are against what the church teachers, they are not practicing Catholics. It isn’t the same thing as a person who is striving to live according to the Church’s teachings but has fallen short. In this case, the person is has made a public statement that they don’t believe in the teachings of the Church. In my opinion, cantors are part of the liturgy should be practicing Catholics. The music liturgist should also be a practicing Catholic because they generally choose the music that is appropriate for the liturgy, even if they don’t personally sing the words. Other than that, instrumentalists and choir members can volunteer and be hired regardless of their beliefs.
 
You have the right to be uncomfortable, but it will be scandalous to out this person. The backlash could be drastic. Before you proceed, consider this question: apart from homosexuality, over what other sins would you want to kick someone out? What other sins are serious enough?
 
RWTruthseeker said:
I am seeking thoughtful advice about how I should respond to a situation in my home parish. I am truly agonizing over what a Godly response would look like.

The question in my mind concerns the role of non-ordained leaders in the liturgy.

Are Liturgical Ministers of Music to be considered part of the faithful who should live according to Catholic moral principles, or are they basically paid employees who perform in the liturgy?
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yes, they should be living their lives according to Catholic moral principles. .
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RWTruthseeker:
Case in point:
  • A married homosexual is in charge of the choirs, musicians, and cantors. He is discreet and lives in another town, so most parishioners are likely unaware.
  • He has also hired a couple of other homosexual musicians who perform at Mass. They are very talented and friendly; and they, too, are discreet in the parish context about their lives.
However, they are involved in the “Gay Community”, support Same-Sex Unions, and participate in homosexual organizations that are not affiliated with the Church.

Do you believe this is an acceptable or unacceptable situation in the parish?
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One who is in any kind of ministry of the Church should NOT be in a scandalous lifestyle.
RWTuthseeker:
Should practicing homosexuals be permitted to lead the sacred music during the liturgy so long as they do not publicly advance their views during the Mass or other parish functions?

Would you personally address the issue in some way? (I believe the Senior Priest knows of the Minister of Music’s situation and has kept it quiet).

Would you quietly seek out another parish to attend?

Please help. I await you thoughts.
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Example: Gay men for seminary

Pope Francis

In short

“The Pope touched on the topic of homosexuality, particularly when it comes to individuals with “deep-seated tendencies” or who practice “homosexual acts,” yet who want to enter the seminary.
In these cases, “if you have even the slightest doubt, it’s better not to let them enter,” Francis said, according to Vatican Insider, because these acts or deep-seated tendencies can lead to scandals and can compromise the life of the seminary, as well as the man himself and his future priesthood."

In extension,

what message does it send a parish if that parish doesn’t take the Pope’s statement seriously about scandal as it pertains to other ministries of the parish especially Re: the mass…

Q: do those married gay individuals you mention, go to communion?
 
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True, just a quick look on social media is all it would take to know that info-probably just their profile pic.
 
It seems like they are way past the point of being “outed” and did that themselves a long time ago hence why they are in gay “marriage” and/or LGBT activist groups.
 
RWTruthseeker said:
Would you personally address the issue in some way? (I believe the Senior Priest knows of the Minister of Music’s situation and has kept it quiet).

Would you quietly seek out another parish to attend?

Please help. I await you thoughts.
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You could see the priest to see if he actually knows. If he does, and didn’t do anything, then that is a problem as well. As you mention the problem is increasing. If you do see the priest, and he does nothing, then you have every right to contact the bishop. By staying there you can help your parish by your prayers.
 
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Augustinian said:
hat’s certainly true, but a lot of the “need” for paid musical talent comes from the the choice of music, which is not easy for untrained people to sing.
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While it’s true that some of the liturgical musicians, paid and unpaid, use the music as an arena for them to show off skills rather than to play something accessible that engages the congregation, I think the main reason for “paid” musical talent is quite simply that it takes a significant amount of time to consistently present music for regular Masses and to ensure someone is there presenting quality music for every Mass. if it’s solely done by volunteers, then unless you have a huge group you are going to run into the issues where people are not available due to their vacations or holiday times. “You get what you pay for” and if you are paying nothing, then nothing is what you may very well get.
 
In my parish, Catholics musicians are volunteers. Non-Catholics are paid to perform. Our current organist/pianist is a paid non-Catholic. Why should a Catholic want to serve in a ministry where only non-Catholics get paid? Now, you want to control their private life, this does not seem fair.
 
A parish may hire gay musicians and choir directors unless the Bishop requires all staff to be practicing Catholics.
 
Augustinian said:
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steve-b:
Q: do those married gay individuals you mention, go to communion?
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Non Catholics aren’t supposed to, and if they are paid staff they should be fully informed of the policy.
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Either are those in mortal sin…AND…being informed doesn’t necessarily mean people honor that.
 
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Lay Ministers are commissioned at the will of the pastor. They must abide by the same moral standards as Ordained ministers in order to serve. If they cannot or will not, then they should be decommissioned. The works of Christ within the ministries of His Church are too important to allow them to be tainted by scandal.

That you are scandalized by this situation is proof enough that scandal is spreading. You should speak to your pastor privately and bring to his attention what you know. Then, he can investigate further and make a good decision.
 
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Peeps said:
This situation occurred in our parish, and it was pretty awful because the local media got hold of the story and in a nutshell, made our parish and the Catholic Church look like monsters. OTOH, a lot of Evangelical Protestant churches were impressed.

I know this sounds like “conspiracy-theory obsession,” but considering how often this same situation arises at churches all over the U.S., I personally believe these situations are planned in advance and orchestrated by secular gay advocacy groups for the specific purpose of causing discord in churches both Protestant and Catholic, but mainly Catholic.
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That said, it can’t be discounted.

Also, If the pastor is gay, ( maybe not acting out on it) it can show up in who he nominates or hires for ministries.
 
If this person has one on one contact with children then I believe that it is could be a problem that may need to be addressed by a committee or board with the individual. If not, then it’s no ones business. There are probably 20 more gay people that no one even knows about!
 
Gay people have children, teach children, gay doctors treat children, gay coaches coach children, why can gay people not contact children in your mind?
 
My response to this is that the music minister should select alternatives for those who don’t have the vocal training and performing experience. Or the accompanist (organ, piano, guitar, or whatever) should be capable of suggesting different hymns that would be more suitable for the untrained voice.

Note–very important! I used the word “performing” in the above paragraph only because usually, trained musicians have had opportunities to apply their training in a performance setting, which gives them confidence and helps them to improve their skills. I emphatically do NOT believe that Mass music (or any church music, including the most contemporary of Protestant church music) is “performing.” It is service–humble service to God and His people.

I’m curious–at the parishes where I play, the accompanist (organist, pianists, or guitarist) is paid, but the cantors are not paid. Is this the norm with the rest of the friends on this thread?
 
BTW, I do not accept payment at my home parish–I offer my accompaniment as a service. I do accept (and expect) payment from other parishes and from Protestant churches, although since I don’t make my living from music, I don’t expect a high salary.

It’s important for me not to undermine other musicians–if I work for free, then other musicians who make their living from music will not be able to earn enough to pay their bills, and will have to find secular work to subsidize their music. This is hard.
 
I was hoping someone would say something like that! So, then what’s the problem? These people aren’t even Catholic correct, they just play the music? What’s next, are you going to start questioning the lawn service people? Where does it end?
 
To all of you who replied to my question: Thank you for your thoughts

To all who issued challenges to me:

Thank you. I assure you that I have no intention of
— “outing” anyone
— “spying” on anyone
— creating a public scandal in the parish. In fact, my personal inclination is to leave quietly if I am not otherwise able to resolve the issue in my mind.

I also assure you that I am very aware of my own sins, and lest the beam in my own eye blind me, I have anonymously sought counsel from my brothers and sisters.

Thank you all once again for your thoughts.
 
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