Using the Sanctuary for things other than Mass

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Recently at our parish a group from the community used the sanctuary for a blue grass concert. The blessed sacrament was removed from the tabernacle and placed in the sacristy. A visiting priest approved of all this. Is it proper to use the sanctuary for events like this?
 
This is a great question…I always feel like Jesus is being told: “Hey, you…we need to use your house for awhile. We’ll put you up over at the local motel for a bit and come and get you when we’re through. Sorry we couldn’t let you stay, but have fun alone and see ya’ later…”. It’s happened for meetings of our Carmelite 3rd Order, but for a blue grass concert! Wow! the audacity! Personally, I don’t know the answer but am anxious to see what our more learned folks have to say.
 
Why not? In Germany, especially in Bavaria, and Austria, Catholic Churches are used for Classical Music concerts all the time. This has been going on for hundreds of years-even before the current reforms!
In the US, we are not used to this.
 
As long as sacred objects are kept away from the non-religious use. There are many parishes which uses multi-purpose halls to have their weekly Mass.
 
As long as it’s good things and the guests treat the place with respect, I don’t think there’s a problem. I consider a Bluegrass Concert a good thing.
 
well, it may be acceptable and maybe even licit but I don’t care for the practice. At our local OF parish we have a nice social hall with a stage and sound equipment. It sits right next to a professional kitchen, which we just finished paying off the loan.

So I’m not used to seeing this sort of thing.
 
The difference between a classical music concert and a bluegrass concert is that there is often an inclusion of sacred music pieces in the concert.

Perhaps this document from the Holy See can help:

adoremus.org/concerts.html

I hope this helps.
 
A blue grass concert is not suitable for a church. The performers of any concert should not be in the sanctuary. See the link in the previous post.
 
When I was growing up, my father was in the military. Our church was used by all denominations and as our movie theater. The Blessed Sacrament was removed right after Mass, doors were closed to cover any statues, the crucifix was on a pulley and the holy water fonts turn around so they were covered. So I guess I don’t see a problem,
 
It then must come down to who decides whether a particular genre of music is classed as ‘sacred’. The same Holy See document states that the permission of the Ordinary is required. This means it cannot just be a parochial decision.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
It then must come down to who decides whether a particular genre of music is classed as ‘sacred’. The same Holy See document states that the permission of the Ordinary is required. This means it cannot just be a parochial decision.
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The OP indicated that the visiting priest said that it was okay. Thus, it seems to me that not even the pastor was consulted.
 
Usually the classical concerts have some sort of organ feature, or the pieces sound better with church-acoustics. It has less to do with Sacred vs. Secular. Many times the local auditorium won’t have an organ, so a church is the next best thing.
 
nrevier said:
Recently at our parish a group from the community used the sanctuary for a blue grass concert. The blessed sacrament was removed from the tabernacle and placed in the sacristy. A visiting priest approved of all this. Is it proper to use the sanctuary for events like this?
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Our pastor was contacted well in advance by our local symphony with choir and asked to use our church for a concert (They sang Catholic Sacred Music singing the Mass parts in Latin and the orchestra played the music). It seems to me that if someone want to use your church they would also ask in advance especially to make sure that the church is available on the day they want to perform. Perhaps your pastor made this known to the visiting priest?
 
nrevier said:
Recently at our parish a group from the community used the sanctuary for a blue grass concert. The blessed sacrament was removed from the tabernacle and placed in the sacristy. A visiting priest approved of all this. Is it proper to use the sanctuary for events like this?
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Ideally, events like this belong in the parish hall and worship belongs in the sanctuary. I’m no expert on the official Church rules on this, but I would not be comfortable with a concert going on in the Church. But I guess it is technically up to the pastor.
 
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