Protestant Songs at Mass

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Hi, everyone. I’m aware that we sing many Protestant hymns at mass, and my general understanding has always been that this is ok as long as they don’t contradict Catholic teachings/doctrine. At mass last weekend, though, the music leaders (two women singing, one also playing guitar) sang the Chris Tomlin song “Good Good Father.” My immediate response was disgust, which quickly turned to anger. That’s a really popular song at evangelical megachurches, so it seemed to me to be highly inappropriate for the liturgy.

Since that day, I’ve tried to call down, admitting at least that there’s nothing heretical in the song. Nonetheless, it just seems like it doesn’t belong in the liturgy. I’ve been debating whether or not to talk to our priest about it. We are a fairly conservative parish, so I imagine there might have been a few other people irked by it too. At any rate, is this really an issue or am I making too much of it? Should I just let it go and worry about more important things? I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
 
I went on the internet and checked the lyrics – there’s nothing particularly Protestant about that. The theme is God is a good father, loves us and is perfect. What’s uncatholic about that?
 
There is such a thing as Catholic liturgical music. “Good good Father” ain’t it. It is devotional music, which is not fitting for the public liturgical worship that happens at a Mass.
 
My problem isn’t necessarily that Protestants like it - my problem is that it doesn’t seem appropriate for Catholic liturgy. It’s written by a Protestant songwriter who undoubtedly writes from Protestant theological influences, many of which are heretical. Like I said, maybe I’m being too sensitive and uncharitable. I just can’t stand the thought of the True Church becoming more Protestant in its worship.
 
That’s exactly what I meant to say. Thanks for clarifying that! I don’t have a problem with the song as a devotional per se; it just doesn’t belong in the mass.
 
If there’s nothing against Catholic teaching in the song, then the only problem with it would seem to be that you don’t like it.

The fact that it is used at Protestant churches doesn’t make it inappropriate for Catholic Mass, and apparently the Catholic pastor has approved its use in the Mass, so it sounds like this is just your personal problem.

You can certainly express your preference to the pastor. If he chooses to ignore your concerns and keep using the song, that’s his prerogative.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
If there’s nothing against Catholic teaching in the song, then the only problem with it would seem to be that you don’t like it.

The fact that it is used at Protestant churches doesn’t make it inappropriate for Catholic Mass, and apparently the Catholic pastor has approved its use in the Mass, so it sounds like this is just your personal problem.
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I cannot stand Protestants who hate, say, Crucifixes because they’re “too Catholic.” The reverse from the Catholic side, hatred of something benign because it’s associated with Protestantism, is equally silly.

If it’s not your style, fine. But “I don’t like it” and “it’s not appropriate for the Catholic Church” are different things. I don’t like it either.
 
If you follow that line of thought, then we shouldn’t sing Marian songs at mass as they are devotional.
 
If the song is “I Am Once Saved, Always Saved, How About You?” or “Soul Sleep, Beautiful Sleep” or “Rapture Is Coming, Are You Saved?”, in other words, heresy, it is really up to the Pastor what songs he permits.

Just make sure that all copyright laws are followed.
 
Ideally, we would only sing the antiphons proper to the day. The Church allows the signing of hymns as a pastoral concession. Chanting the propers is the liturgical ideal (in Latin or the vernacular).
Technically singing a Marian hymn after Mass is devotional anyway as the final blessing has already been given…that’s a popular practice.
 
And the bishop…bishops are supposed to provide guidelines as to what music is or isn’t no permitted. Church guidelines are clear that only sacred music that is suited to the dignity of the liturgy may be used… the specific details of where the line is drawn is ultimately up to the bishop.
 
But Marian hymns are often used as the Entrance hymn and Offertory hymn, particularly during the months of May & October and on Marian feasts.
 
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