Question 290 – Is it appropriate to play a non-Catholic song at Holy Mass?

Interview Organization: The Confraternity of Our Lady of Fatima
Interviewer Name: Christopher Wendt
Date: July 13, 2024
When it comes to music, it should be evaluated on its own merits, whether it is sacred, beautiful, and edifying. Even if composed by a Protestant, it can still be used. For example, Catholics have sung Bach's Lenten hymn for generations. We should avoid the mindset that all Protestant music is inherently wrong, as God has left good qualities in all people.
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Transcript:

Of course, because when it comes to music, you have to look at the music itself. If it is sacred, beautiful, and edifying, it can be used, even if it was composed by a Protestant composer. There is no problem with that. For example, in Germany, even before the Council, Catholics have been singing a very beautiful and famous Lenten hymn about Christ’s crown of thorns, which was composed by Bach, a Protestant. It’s a deeply moving piece that Catholics have sung for generations. So, we must avoid the mentality, perhaps a Manichean one, that all Protestant music is inherently wrong. Human nature is not completely corrupted by sin, and God has left some good qualities in people, even those who are in error, which can be used for the benefit of others. This shows the greatness and generosity of God.