Catholic liturgical music plays a vital role in worship, shaping the spiritual experience and theological understanding of the faithful. Music elevates prayer, reinforces doctrine, and unites congregations in shared devotion. However, recent discussions, exemplified by Bishop Sean McKnight’s actions in Jefferson City, Missouri, highlight concerns about the theological soundness of certain contemporary Catholic hymns. This article delves into why some modern Catholic Songs are considered problematic, examining their lyrics and theological implications to understand if they truly serve the purpose of Catholic liturgy.
The Importance of Theology in Catholic Hymns
The adage “singing is praying twice” underscores the profound impact of hymns on our faith. When we sing in church, we are not merely expressing emotions; we are internalizing and proclaiming theological truths. Therefore, the lyrics of Catholic songs must be theologically accurate and aligned with the teachings of the Church. Hymns with flawed theology can inadvertently misinform and misguide the faithful, embedding errors deeper into the soul than spoken words alone. Liturgical music should boldly proclaim and reinforce Catholic doctrine, not create ambiguity or theological confusion.
Common Theological Issues in Problematic Catholic Songs
Several recurring theological issues plague certain modern Catholic hymns, detracting from their suitability for liturgical use. These problems often stem from a shift in focus from God to humanity, a diluted understanding of the Eucharist, and a downplaying of essential Christian themes like sin and repentance.
Human-Centeredness vs. God-Centeredness
A significant concern is the humanistic tendency in some hymns, where the focus shifts from the glory of God and divine worship to human actions, feelings, and community building. These hymns often emphasize what “we” do, how “we” feel, or what “we” build, rather than directing attention towards God’s majesty and saving actions.
Consider the popular hymn “All Are Welcome.” While seemingly inclusive, its lyrics raise ecclesiological questions. The repeated phrase “Let us build a house” suggests that sinners are the architects of the Church, rather than Christ establishing it and recreating us in His image. Lines like “Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live” and “built of hopes and dreams and visions” emphasize human agency in creating the Church, minimizing the divine foundation and action. This hymn, as noted by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ doctrinal committee, can be objectionable because it implies that the Church is primarily a human construct, a club we build by being welcoming, rather than a divine institution established by Christ. This focus on human construction can overshadow the call to repentance and conversion, making it seem like the primary goal is to make everyone feel comfortable and welcomed, potentially at the expense of proclaiming challenging Catholic teachings.
Similarly, “Sing a New Church” promotes a problematic view of ecclesiology. The lyrics “Sing a new church into being” directly contradict the Catholic understanding of the Church as founded by Christ on St. Peter, the “pillar and foundation of truth.” The notion of “singing a new church” implies that the Church is a human creation, subject to reinvention, rather than a divinely established and enduring institution. While cooperation with God is essential, hymns should not suggest that the Church is “our creation.”
“Gather Us In” also exemplifies this human-centered approach. While not inherently problematic, its lyrics focus predominantly on human experiences and aspirations: “We are the young… We are the old… called to be Light to the whole human race.” The hymn becomes an anthem about human potential and purpose, rather than a direct offering of praise and adoration to God. While acknowledging our role as God’s instruments is valid, liturgical music should prioritize the “greatness of the God” and direct our worship towards Him, rather than primarily focusing on ourselves.
Flawed Eucharistic Theology
Perhaps the most critical theological concern arises from hymns that present a diminished or inaccurate view of the Eucharist. Catholic doctrine teaches the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist – that the bread and wine are transubstantiated into the Body and Blood of Christ, while retaining only the appearances of bread and wine. Furthermore, the Eucharist is not merely a meal but also a sacrifice, the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Problematic hymns often undermine these core Eucharistic beliefs. “Table of Plenty” is a prime example. Lyrics like “My bread will ever sustain you… My wine will flow like a sea of gladness” utilize “prohibited wine language,” as identified by the USCCB, which can imply that the consecrated element remains wine. More significantly, the entire song lacks any explicit mention of the bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood of Christ. It portrays the Eucharist primarily as a source of sustenance and joy, akin to a common meal, missing the crucial dimensions of Real Presence and Sacrifice. This can lead to a superficial understanding of the Eucharist, reducing it to a symbolic gathering rather than the source and summit of Catholic life.
Hymns like “God is Here” (“here, as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old”) and “Three Days” (“we’ve shared his bread and wine”) also fall into the trap of using “wine” to refer to the consecrated element, potentially misleading congregants into believing it remains ordinary wine after consecration. While “bread” can sometimes be used as a synecdoche for the entire Eucharistic reality, “wine” does not carry the same liturgical usage and risks implying a symbolic rather than a truly transformative understanding of the Eucharist.
Downplaying Sin and Repentance
Another subtle but significant issue is the tendency of some modern hymns to soften or omit the themes of sin, repentance, and the need for redemption. In an effort to be welcoming and inclusive, some hymns may inadvertently downplay the reality of sin and the necessity of conversion. This can be linked back to the critique of “All Are Welcome,” where the emphasis on unconditional welcome might inadvertently suggest that repentance and transformation are not essential aspects of Christian life. While the Church is indeed a welcoming place for all, the call to conversion and holiness remains central to the Gospel message and should not be obscured in liturgical music.
Doctrinal Ambiguity and Confusion
Finally, some hymns introduce theological ambiguity or raise questions without clear answers, which can be confusing for the faithful. “Mary, Did You Know?” exemplifies this issue. While a popular Christmas song, its lyrical structure poses questions like “Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?” and “Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?” While these questions may be intended to inspire wonder, they can also create theological confusion. For example, the line “This child that you’ve delivered will soon deliver you?” can be misinterpreted to suggest Mary was a sinner in need of redemption in the same way as any other person, rather than understanding her Immaculate Conception and unique role in salvation history. Hymns, particularly in a liturgical context, should primarily aim to proclaim clear theological truths and inspire faith, rather than introduce theological puzzles or ambiguities that might lead to misunderstanding.
Revision and Improvement: The Case of “Ashes”
While some hymns present theological challenges, it is encouraging to note that hymns can be revised and improved to align more closely with sound doctrine. The 2021 revision of “Ashes” by Tom Conry demonstrates this possibility. The original lyrics, “We rise again from ashes to create ourselves anew,” presented a problematic Pelagian view, suggesting humans have the power to “create ourselves anew,” contradicting the Catholic teaching that Christ is the source of new creation.
The revised version corrects this theological flaw: “We rise again from ashes… redeemed, O Lord, by you.” This revision clearly acknowledges that redemption and renewal come from God, not from human self-creation. The added line, “redeemed, O Lord, by you,” centers Christ’s role in our renewal and aligns the hymn with sound Catholic theology. This example shows that even hymns with initial theological shortcomings can be amended to become theologically sound and liturgically appropriate.
The Value of Traditional Catholic Music
In light of the theological concerns surrounding certain modern hymns, the wisdom of the Second Vatican Council’s emphasis on Gregorian Chant becomes apparent. The Council stated that “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.” Gregorian Chant, with its rich theological and scriptural roots, provides a model for liturgical music that elevates the soul to the divine and avoids the pitfalls of theological ambiguity and human-centeredness. Returning to a greater appreciation for traditional hymns and chants, alongside carefully vetted contemporary compositions, can enrich Catholic liturgy and ensure that music truly serves its purpose: to glorify God and deepen the faith of the worshippers.
Conclusion
The selection of music for Catholic liturgy requires careful discernment, prioritizing theological accuracy and God-centered worship. While not all modern Catholic songs are problematic, some contain theological flaws that can subtly undermine core Catholic doctrines, particularly regarding the Church and the Eucharist. By critically evaluating the lyrics of hymns and prioritizing those that clearly proclaim Catholic truth and direct our worship towards God, we can ensure that music in the liturgy truly elevates our prayer and strengthens our faith. Choosing hymns that are theologically sound is not about rejecting contemporary music altogether, but about ensuring that all liturgical music, whether old or new, effectively serves its primary purpose: to give glory to God and lead the faithful deeper into the mysteries of the Catholic faith.
