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A non-Catholic singer singing in a Catholic Cathedral Maria Monday, June 9, 2008

Question:

This may be posted in the wrong forum, but I was wondering about this. A non-Catholic (possibly non-Christian) singer was on television last night singing from inside a Catholic Cathedral in Austria. What would have to have happened in order for her to do this? Would she have to have the Archbishop's approval to sing in the church? Mind you, none of the songs are religious in nature.

Thanks for helping.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Maria,

I suppose the pastor/rector of the cathedral could make that decision, but of course the bishop would have the authority to override it and disallow the event.

I don't know the details of the singer or the concert, but from what you've told me I don't see anything appropriate at all of holding this event in a church.  I know sometimes we have secular classical organ recitals in our churches, but at least there is a practical reason to hold them there...  which is because that's where the organ is located.  Even so a lot of times people can use this music to lift their hearts to God, which is why this music is often used before and after weekend masses.

But for a modern secular singer I would think at least at first that a concert hall would be a much better place to hold the concert.

Mr. Slavek


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