A question on doctrine

[HisLamb]

Our parish church has had a non-Catholic music director for quite a number of years.  I think she is Episcopalian, but not 100% sure.  My SIL ran into her the other day, and this woman told my SIL that she has left her position as music director because our pastor found out that she had admitted non-Catholics to the choir that performs during Masses, and told her she must dismiss them.  She refused to do so, hence left her job.  She claims that Father said that it's a church doctrine that no non-Catholics can belong to the choir.

I actually have two questions.  First...I don't think this is a doctrine...is it?  It may be a tradition...(notice small "t")  I could be wrong, so I'm coming here to ask those whose knowledge is far greater than mine in this area.

Second...if this were a doctrine, wouldn't it also pertain to the music director? 

I have a feeling she may have misunderstood that part about "doctrine", but I'm confused as to why no non-Catholics can sing during Mass.  Can anyone help?

 

[panterapat]

I am pretty well versed on Church Doctrine.
I would be VERY surprised to find such a tenent of our faith.
All are welcome into our Mass. It is only the Eucharist that is exclusive.
I'm sure that the ministers of the altar need to be Catholic, and perhaps the lectors. But I really don't think that the chior must be Catholic.
In Christ, Patrick

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Originally posted by HisLamb
Our parish church has had a non-Catholic music director for quite a number of years.  I think she is Episcopalian, but not 100% sure.  My SIL ran into her the other day, and this woman told my SIL that she has left her position as music director because our pastor found out that she had admitted non-Catholics to the choir that performs during Masses, and told her she must dismiss them.  She refused to do so, hence left her job.  She claims that Father said that it's a church doctrine that no non-Catholics can belong to the choir.

I actually have two questions.  First...I don't think this is a doctrine...is it?  It may be a tradition...(notice small "t")  I could be wrong, so I'm coming here to ask those whose knowledge is far greater than mine in this area.

Second...if this were a doctrine, wouldn't it also pertain to the music director? 

I have a feeling she may have misunderstood that part about "doctrine", but I'm confused as to why no non-Catholics can sing during Mass.  Can anyone help?

Non-Catholics are able to be in the choir. I know this from personal experience. For the previous two years, I was involved with the University of St. Thomas Liturgical Choir. While the majority of the choir is Catholic, there are several non-Catholics. They are just reminded to not partake of the Eucharist. Having a well respected liturgical music program at the university, they would never allow something that is forbidden.

On a more pragmatic note, wouldn't inviting people to sing with the choir be a great way to introduce people to the Catholic faith? One of my friends entered into RCIA after joining the choir last year.

 

[HisLamb]

Thanks for your response, guys.  The more I think about this, the more it bothers me.  As "fragments" said, it would be a wonderful way to introduce non-Catholics to our faith. 

The only thing I can possibly think of that may be "objectionable", and I'm not sure if it is, is that a member of the choir sings the Psalm for the Mass, and leads the response.  Maybe this is it?

I really did think that the choir director had mistaken what our Pastor said in regards to "doctrine".  I mean, the Trinity is doctrine, Purgatory is doctrine.  I just can't see this fitting in with such important things as those.

 

[sklippstein]

i don't think it's doctrine either. We have a non catholic secretary at our church and a non catholic housekeeper for the priest. Some of our choir actually belong to another church but under the same diocese.

 

[VOW]

To His Lamb:

Maybe it's time to put in a call to the diocese?


Peace,
~VOW

 

[HisLamb]

Originally posted by VOW
To His Lamb:

Maybe it's time to put in a call to the diocese?


Peace,
~VOW

You could be right, VOW, but I think I'd rather hear what Father has to say about it first.  I just cannot believe that he'd tell the choir director that this was doctrine.  That is what has me so confused.  And if a non-Catholic doing the Psalm is wrong, then he would be in the right.  Not that it's doctrine...but maybe it has something to do with the rubrics of the Mass?  I'm not up on them, nor do I know if this falls under them.  This just has me confused.  Father is such a good priest, and such a Godly man...  He's so gentle and caring, that I can't see him doing something to deliberately hurt others. 

I have to say I would feel funny just asking him about this, but...  Maybe I can overcome this and get to the bottom of it all.

 

[nyj]

Without checking with the Canon Law itself, it may be that non-Catholics are not permitted to be involved in the ministry of the Divine Word in church. This would extend to the cantor, who, if non-Catholic, would result in a situation that it not permitted. Perhaps this is what the priest was trying to convey.

Remember, there are at least two sides to this story. The music minister is obviously disgruntled and hence her story is somewhat biased against the priest. I would not rush to hasty judgment and would allow the priest to give his side of the story, as it may result in a most suitable explanation.

While I agree that non-Catholics should be allowed in the choir, I do not think that they should hold positions of prominence within the parish. Therefore, I disagree with having a non-Catholic music director. Heck, our director of religious education is non-Catholic in the parish I used to attend... talk about an ironic situation.

 

[Hoonbaba]

Originally posted by fragmentsofdreams
On a more pragmatic note, wouldn't inviting people to sing with the choir be a great way to introduce people to the Catholic faith? One of my friends entered into RCIA after joining the choir last year.

Wow....that's awesome!

-Jason

 

[HisLamb]

Originally posted by nyj
Without checking with the Canon Law itself, it may be that non-Catholics are not permitted to be involved in the ministry of the Divine Word in church. This would extend to the cantor, who, if non-Catholic, would result in a situation that it not permitted. Perhaps this is what the priest was trying to convey.

nyj, this seems to be the case.  I didn't speak to the priest, but to someone else who knows what is going on.  It's not the choir, but the cantor (thank you for the word!) that was a problem.

While I agree that non-Catholics should be allowed in the choir, I do not think that they should hold positions of prominence within the parish. Therefore, I disagree with having a non-Catholic music director. Heck, our director of religious education is non-Catholic in the parish I used to attend... talk about an ironic situation.

Well, there were no Catholics in the parish who were qualified to be music director when she was hired.  (this is a small town.  hmmm...I wonder if we'll be able to get a music director now, and with Christmas coming... )  As for the director of religious education in a Catholic parish being non-Catholic, that really made me do a double-take!  How could a non-Catholic be qualified in that job?

Anyway, thanks guys, for letting me ask my question and vent here.  If I'd waited, I'd have known what was going on.  But I still don't know the rule/law that stipulates only Catholic cantors, and I'd like to find that just for my own personal satisfaction.  I'm just naturally curious....  Good thing I'm not a cat.

 

[ZooMom]

I'm just naturally curious.... Good thing I'm not a cat.

I've always added a second part to that old saying...

Curiosity killed the cat...

But satisfaction brought it back.