ASK FR BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | SEPTEMBER 2022

Author: Fr Bitaju

Q54. Is music allowed in church? As a Christian, can songs, action songs and other entertainment media be used? 

Jerin Vakayil, Bangalore, India

The role of music in the Church is biblical. The people of Israel sang a song to the Lord after escaping the Egyptians and crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15).  The Psalms manifest the beauty of God’s people raising their voices in hymns to him in joy and sorrow, in praise and lament. Jesus and his disciples practised singing hymns (Matthew 26:30). St Paul exhorted the Colossians that with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God (3:16-17).  The teachings of the Church affirm that ‘sacred music is for the glory of God and the sanctification and edification of the faithful.’  Further, it urges that ‘sacred music should possess, in the highest degree, the qualities proper to the liturgy, and in particular sanctity and goodness of form.  It must be holy, and must, therefore, exclude all profanity not only in itself but in the manner in which it is presented by those who execute it’ (Tra Le Sollecitudini, 1-2).

Regarding the second part of your question, whether Christians can follow songs, action songs and other entertainment media, it is good to remember that the lyrics of a song makes it Christian, though the composition can be of different genres. The Second Vatican Council permitted modern music in the vernacular, yet the Gregorian chant has a prominent place in the Western rite.  We are aware that Christian music is not limited to the four walls of a church or community.  It ought to be present on the lips of every faithful, not only in their private lives but also when they gather together. As tastes and preferences of individuals vary, the vast genre of Christian music provides a rich variety to choose for the young and the old, the newbie or theologically mature, for solemn moments or private relaxation to connect to God according to their unique tastes.  It is true that music sometimes makes you move your body too to express the soul of it in a better way.  There are a variety of ‘dance expressions’ that accompany Christian music of which action song is one of them.  How wonderful it is when our whole body moves in praise of God for his inexpressible gifts!

To conclude, it is important that one be watchful of causing scandal to another by way of the songs, action songs or entertainment media that one chooses to follow. ‘Scandal is an attitude or behaviour which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbour’s tempter’ (CCC #2284). Further, the exhortation of St Paul is relevant: whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).  The invitation here is to learn to discern in accordance with the teaching of the Church and one’s conscience what God wants him/her in the choices he/she makes.