No popes in the mosh pit

At a church party last night, a couple of people mentioned to me (since I am a guitar accompanist) that the Pope had "banned guitars" at Mass. In a kind of panic, I examined Zenit, the Vatican news source, this morning. Then I examined the newspaper headlines. In fact he'd done no such thing.

What he did do was go to a concert, and then wistfully insist that the church needed to restore plainsong to its pride of place. Now that's a different thing altogether - and something I absolutely agree with. Vatican II's Sacrosanctum Concillium said, "The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services" and then went on to explicitly permit other forms of polyphony, and explicitly permit the use of musical instruments, with a note of caution.

But other instruments also may be admitted for use in divine worship, with the knowledge and consent of the competent territorial authority, as laid down in Art. 22, 52, 37, and 40. This may be done, however, only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, accord with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful.

A heavy metal band in the choir loft probably cannot be made suitable. A guitarist and choral group singing "Panis Angelicus" probably can. And it wouldn't kill us to inject some plainsong, like the Pope wants, in a few high holy days, like Sundays in Lent or in Holy Week.

I just find it funny. You'll have the Pope say something to the effect of, "I like butter," and the newspaper headline will be "POPE BANS MARGARINE."