Church used for public concerts?

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Wasn’t sure which category things belonged in, there is a similar post from years ago, but there are a series of secular concerts scheduled to be held in our Archdiocese’s Cathedral so obviously our Archbishop is on board. I feel so uneasy about this. I feel that the sanctuary, even if the Blessed Sacrament is removed, is still sacred ground. Am I being overly sensitive or concerned?
 
Each year the Cathedral here is included in a regional music festival focussing in on Antique mega instruments. This brings many people into the Cathedral. A very nice ecumenical activity.
 
I try to look at it as an opportunity for anyone that comes into the church for whatever reason to hopefully get a sense of the glory of God through the splendor of the surroundings. I cringe though at the absolute lack of respect shown by so many others. That is the struggle.
 
My Cathedral had a new pipe organ installed a few years ago. We have a music school in my city, that uses our organ, as well as a few others in other Churches. We have about 6-8 concerts a year. It showcases both our Cathedral and the music school. It’s mutually beneficial
 
In my experience its a wonderful event. People must buy tickets to any of the concerts run at any venue in the festival.
The organisers also ensure the instruments are up to scratch. Tuning in an antique pipe organ is quite a feat.

There is probably as much irreverance as there is on any given Sunday. The Cathedral tends to be quite intimidating in its architecture and statuary to visitors. Those performing and attending are well behaved and thankful to have the instruments and the venues. One Chapel used is never open to the public.
 
I have mixed feelings over this. On the one hand it brings people into a church or cathedral which may have a lasting impact upon them. On the other, it’s seen by some as just a space being used to entertain. In a former parish there were regular concerts (the acoustics were fantastic) and there would always be someone from the parish, if not the parish priest, to welcome visitors and say a prayer before the concert. One time it fell to me. The Blessed Sacrament was placed in a tabernacle in a side chapel but this chapel was then used by the choir to dump their coats, bottled water, etc. Needless to say I soon removed them from the chapel.
 
I’m sure the music quality is very good for your events and for this one as well…my concern is for the use of the Cathedral for the event. Yes, there are plenty of disrespectful participants at every Mass on any given Sunday at any given parish church, but the purpose is for the celebration of the Mass. not completely disagreeing with you but rather reaching into the root of my concern.
 
The church is a House of God, consecrated to Him. Not a community building. Its purpose is to be used for worship and sacrifice. I don’t like it. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do if the archbishop agrees with it. Pray so that they change their minds.
 
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I think its ok to have music concerts at the cathedral.

The wikipedia article on cathedrals “Notwithstanding wide differences over time in institutional structures and wider historical contexts; the key functions established for the first cathedrals have tended to remain as distinctive cathedral functions down the centuries; a regular cycle of choral prayer; providing a forum for civic leadership; a commitment to higher learning; and the promotion and dissemination of music.”

I know wikipedia is by no means authoritative, but having concerts is what they do in the episcopal “St John the Divine” cathedral in NYC, and the episcopalians are trying to build and run the building like the medieval cathedrals.
 
Two Bishops seem to think so.
And the Cardinal was in attendance at one of them.

So I don’t think it was improper.
 
I really can’t complain about concerts in our cathedral because I have been part of dozens of them over the years. We have a patriotic concert on the Wednesday before Independence Day every year, and also a Christmas concert either before or after Christmas. The Christmas concert is all sacred music and should not offend anyone here. The patriotic concert is more of a fun event that includes free ice cream in the square after the concert. We have also have a few other concerts and organ recitals throughout the year. One of our members who was also a voice major chose to have his senior recital at the cathedral and is now the director of music at another parish.

Now, if you want a punk rock concert in the cathedral, I would have to vote no. Of course, I don’t get a vote, but I am sure our rector and bishop would cast the only vote that counts as negative.
 
It’s fine. One monastery I visited in England held a concert while a group of us were staying there. One of the monks said a short prayer before the concert de-consecrating the church, then said another after the concert re-consecrating it. In this church, like in many abbeys, the Blessed Sacrament was kept in a side chapel.
 
This is done all the time. I’ve been to all kinds of great secular concerts in Catholic churches ranging from chamber music to organ music to Godspeed You! Black Emperor. If the diocesan authority is fine with it, then it’s not your concern, and yes, you are being overly sensitive.

If you don’t like the idea of a concert held in a church, then feel free not to go.
 
I would imagine that the concerts may be a good source of income for some monasteries and churches. In Europe it is even more common to find such events in church than it is in USA.
 
Every Church structure is primarily a meeting place for the community, The People of God. Its a structure. As Jesus said
'destroy this tempke and I will raise it up again in three days. ’

The Vatican and many other Diocese allow their famous structures to be visited for tourism. And pilgrimage.

Perhaps see it as visitors making pilgrimage to the Cathedral. Give it a chance. I am sure they arent going to be blaring ACDC . Attend an event and see what its all about. Welcome people to your Church.
 
I don’t like seeing concerts in churches, it’s not a practice of the early Church because churches are for worship, not for amusement and hobbies.

“Don’t you have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Of course not!”

I think the same can apply to concerts.
 
I think if the Blessed Sacrament has to be removed for an event to take place, then that’s a pretty good indication that the event is not appropriate for a church.

It’s a place of worship not a music hall.
 
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