I]Other instruments may also be used in divine worship, at the discretion and with the consent of the competent territorial authority…, provided they are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, that they accord with the dignity of the sacred building, and that they truly contribute to the edification of the faithful.
IMO, those who don’t accept this are in danger of committing a sin of rebellion against their Church.
Perhaps one day, the Pope’s personal opinion will become official Church policy (I personally doubt that when it comes to music). But as of this time, the Church still allows other instruments than the pipe organ in the Mass, with the permission of the bishop or other territorial authority.
I honestly don’t see how any of us can continue to argue against this, other than to state your personal opinion that you don’t “feel” that guitars are worshipful. Feelings are legitimate, but they are not the basis for Church rule.
Since none of us attend the same parish, we might be referring to different things. Where you are, the instruments in question might be used in a manner that is in accord with the dignity of the sacred building, etc (in reference to the top paragraph above). I’ve had to put up with (and very recently) loud electric guitars, drum trap sets to loud rock music, using the themes/music to “Louie, Lou-eye”, “The House of the Rising Sun”, and so on. I know you rely very much on what your Bishop allows, but keep in mind, our Bishops can’t be everywhere at once, and they can’t address all of the issues that are bombarding them at the same time. They expect us to at least have a bit of common sense about these things!
You spoke of “the sin of rebellion” against the Church. That is bordering on the ridiculous. Perhaps the sin of self-righteousness and pride might surface (on BOTH sides
of the issue), but I think most people who are horrified at all of this crazy music are justified in their anger. If the sin of “rebellion” has occured in reference to this subject, it was decades ago (throught the present day) when the directives of the Church were ignored . I haven’t read a ton of posts about this, but the ones I 've seen have done nothing but offer their interpretation of the above documents, an interpretation that is different from yours, but in keeping with the Magisterium.
Imagine that everything that you’ve written in these past few posts had been addressed to the Pope and the Congregation for Divine Worship. (It might as well have been.) Now who looks rebellious?
When people post views that are in complete accord with those of Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Arinze, and all of the pertinent magisterial documents on the subject, it’s a big stretch to say that they are just one opinion among others simply because the Church has not proclaimed these things “ex cathedra” or in some binding document!!
It’s perfectly legitimate to express the view that some of these things are innapropriate
(although allowed by some pastors/Bishops). That is not rebellion. In fact, it is probably an attempt to remain faithful to Christ through His Church.
Where does it end? Let’s bring in harps, tamborines, maracas, drums, eucalayles, harmonicas, when is it finally inappropriate? The Tridentine Mass had Gregorian Chant and dignified music that reflected the solemnity, the dignity, the majesty, the awe of God Almighty in His Sacrifice of the Mass. The church isn’t the place to play Sergeant Pepper.
