Use of Church for Secular Concert

[Patrick]

Can someone point me to a document that discusses whether a church can be used for a secular concert? I already have Can. 1210 of Canon Law and “Concerts in Churches Protocol number 1251/87” of the Congregation of Divine Worship.

 

[The_Barrister]

Patrick:

Can someone point me to a document that discusses whether a church can be used for a secular concert? I already have Can. 1210 of Canon Law and “Concerts in Churches Protocol number 1251/87” of the Congregation of Divine Worship.

Can. 1210 In a sacred place only those things are to be permitted which serve to exercise or promote worship, piety and religion. Anything out of harmony with the holiness of the place is forbidden. The Ordinary may however, for individual cases, permit other uses, provided they are not contrary to the sacred character of the place.

Can. 1211 Sacred places are desecrated by acts done in them which are gravely injurious and give scandal to the faithful when, in the judgement of the local Ordinary, these acts are so serious and so contrary to the sacred character of the place that worship may not be held there until the harm is repaired by means of the penitential rite which is prescribed in the liturgical books.

Can. 1212 Sacred places lose their dedication or blessing if they have been in great measure destroyed, or if they have been permanently made over to secular usage, whether by decree of the competent Ordinary or simply in fact.

Can. 1213 Ecclesiastical authority freely exercises its powers and functions in sacred places.

I think that’s all you need, Patrick.

 

[deogratias]

I suppose it would depend then, given the canons quoted, what the musical program was and who performed it.

So many of the new “worship spaces” look like auditoriums that I wonder if they were designed to be multipurpose - I know of one that has a sliding panel across the sanctuary and a stage in front of it and is probably used for other purposes in some cases.

OTOH I know of areas that have no formal Church yet and have to hold Mass in a rented hall or gymnasium.

I’d prefer that a church look and act like a church but I’m not “the boss”.

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

The common sense thing to do is to remove the Blessed Sacrament. Some time back we had a Christmas Program in our Church. Folks wanted to laugh and talk and clap during the program. They also wanted to walk around freely and take pictures of their kids. The answer was simple. Remove the Blessed Sacrament during the program. Reserve it in a suitable place(We have a side Chapel) and return it after the program.

May God bless you,
Deacon Tony SFO

 

[MackerelSnapper]

Deacon Tony560:

The common sense thing to do is to remove the Blessed Sacrament…

The only place our parish currently has to serve as an assembly/concert hall is the chruch. When it’s used for a purpose that is not related to worship, the Blessed Sacrament is removed and the sanctuary lamp is extinguished.

 

[HagiaSophia]

Patrick:

Can someone point me to a document that discusses whether a church can be used for a secular concert? I already have Can. 1210 of Canon Law and “Concerts in Churches Protocol number 1251/87” of the Congregation of Divine Worship.

I believe that many are now set up for “multipurpose” use these days and I know in Sacramento they have had concerts, I believe OLA in Los Angeles has hosted several interfaith ceremonies, installation of other bishops, and I believe when Milwaukee was renovating, there was mention of the “theatre seating” planned so that it would be useable for concerts, etc.

Perhaps a call to the liturgy director of your diocese can provide some more info? I think you can also email Michael Rose at www.cruxnews.com as he has written extensively on architecture and renovations for church buildings.

 

[musicagallica]

Can someone cite official legislation touching (secular) public concerts in churches in the early 20th and preceding centuries?
Thanks very much indeed.