Are we allowed to like Hillsong songs?

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I’m a long time music minister. I was in a parish up until a couple of years ago that played a lot of Hillsongs stuff at Mass. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the tunes aesthetically and enjoyed playing them. But my analysis of some of the lyrics was they contained some non-Catholic theology, particularly the “solas” that are pushed by Protestants. I objected and escalated it to the pastor, a Monsignor who is really tight with the Bishop. I got completely shut down and basically told to shut up about it in so many words. I felt I had to leave that choir and parish, so I did, even though my wife and I liked it very much.
 
jfz178 said:
I’m a long time music minister. I was in a parish up until a couple of years ago that played a lot of Hillsongs stuff at Mass. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the tunes aesthetically and enjoyed playing them. But my analysis of some of the lyrics was they contained some non-Catholic theology, particularly the “solas” that are pushed by Protestants. I objected and escalated it to the pastor, a Monsignor who is really tight with the Bishop. I got completely shut down and basically told to shut up about it in so many words. I felt I had to leave that choir and parish, so I did, even though my wife and I liked it very much.
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I don’t serve choir full time now, but whenever I have control, I NEVER sing Praise and Worship of any sort, be it Hillsong, Don Moen, Marty Nystrom, or whoever. I would sooner bust out the Anglican Book of Common Praise before I touch any of that other stuff for Mass.
 
I find it interesting that Praise and Worship stuff is shunned for regular Masses, but The Church seems to welcome it for “youth Masses.” What are we saying? It’s OK to propagandize children with non-Catholic theology, but grown and formed Catholics can’t handle it? Sems backwards to me.
 
I’m a former Protestant, so I heard a lot of that kind of music - some of it I still love - especially music from the late great Rich Mullins (I’d heard he was planning on entering the Catholic Church when he was tragically killed in a car accident).

What do you think of this then?


BTW - I LOVE this song…
 
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I don’t think we’re talking about mass music – just music used in one’s personal life.

Let’s face it, there are those who will say that if a piece of music was written after the 18th century it should be considered anathema. 😱

People will use words like “sappy” or “syrupy” or “breathless” or “banal” – you get the idea – to express their disapproval of others’ musical choices.

Personally, regarding Christian music, I say if you like it and it isn’t filled with blasphemy or gross theological error – enjoy it and don’t worry about it.

😃:+1:t4:
 
You’d be surprised at how many Protestant hymns are sung at Mass in my parish.
 
jfz178 said:
I find it interesting that Praise and Worship stuff is shunned for regular Masses, but The Church seems to welcome it for “youth Masses.” What are we saying? It’s OK to propagandize children with non-Catholic theology, but grown and formed Catholics can’t handle it? Sems backwards to me.
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I would NEVER use them for youth Masses either.
 
18th century? That’s WAY too modern for some. Try 14th century.
 
porthos11 said:
jfz178:
I find it interesting that Praise and Worship stuff is shunned for regular Masses, but The Church seems to welcome it for “youth Masses.” What are we saying? It’s OK to propagandize children with non-Catholic theology, but grown and formed Catholics can’t handle it? Sems backwards to me.
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I am apparently missing some inside information. Is it not pleasing to the Lord to praise and worship Him in song? I can understand if a particular set of lyrics has wrong theology that it should not be used. Can we evaluate each song and use those that are spiritually and theologically acceptable? There must be a few out there.
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@goodcatholic Well, your thread managed to go over 24 hours before it got derailed into what music is appropriate for mass – that’s gotta be a record for discussing music on CAF.

Bravo.

Now we can grab the popcorn and enjoy the never-ending row. 🍿🍿
 
You just know “Gregoria Chant is the only appropriate music for Catholics to listen to” is coming to the thread soon too 🤣
 
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deMontfort said:
You just know “Gregorian Chant is the only appropriate music for Catholics to listen to” is coming to the thread soon too 🤣
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Oh I can’t wait for that battle. :crazy_face:

My money’s on the St Louis Jesuits to win! I’ve heard that Dan Schutte has a mean left hook! 💪
 
I am glad someone brought that up. Here is my myth about Gregorian Chant: I have studied religious chant, not only Gregorian, but also from different faiths and cultures. It is meant to be more than music. It is a spiritual practice unto itself. The repetition of tones and words are intended to cause the chanter to transcend daily reality and render the chanter more open to the infinite, to God’s message. It is a “vocal meditation.”

As a Church musician, I have heard “Gregorian Chant” attempted by over 15 congregations. I have never once heard it practiced as religious chant. What it is, in my opinion, is “hymns based on Gregorian Chant.” As such, these melodies and lyrics are no better or worse than any other hymn. Probably worse, because most church music groups don’t do well with “free time,” that is music without a time signature.

So the myth is that while the Church says Gregorian Chant is best, I have never been to a Catholic church that actually does it. I think it is confined to cloistered religious orders and private performances for high clergy.
 
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Oh, you know Rad Trads have made that argument before 😛 It’s always at least semi-entertaining 🤣 Kind of like when you were dealing with the “Douay-Rheims Only” people 😛
 
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