Cardinal calls for end to secular music in churches

A letter was sent out on Tuesday to churches across his diocese in southern Poland, chiming in with the day of St Cecilia, patroness of church music.

“We forget that the church is not a place where any kind of music can be played,” the cardinal reflected, drawing attention to a 1987 ecclesiastical ruling on the matter.

“The church is not a place for secular music,” he stressed, adding that the performance of non-sacral music shows “disrespect” to houses of worship.

The cardinal also lamented that a great deal of money is made through the hosting of concerts of non-secular music in churches.

“Let us not be deceptive by reaching out to the faithful with music that was not created due to religious inspiration, even though it might have been written by outstanding composers who were themselves strong believers,” he added.

These specifications effectively rule out works by some of Poland's most revered composers, including Frederic Chopin.

Krakow hosts many musical events each year, including the internationally noted Unsound Festival, which presents cutting edge electronic music, with some performances taking place in churches. The city also has a long tradition of jazz.

Acclaimed jazz musician Tomasz Stanko told the Gazeta Wyborcza daily that he has reservations about the letter.

“I understand this opinion, but I do not agree with it,” he said.

“We're in the 21st century now, and the Church has always been connected with art,” he said.

Nevertheless, Father Robert Tyrala, Chairman of the Archdiocesan Committee on Church Music, has told the Polish Press Agency that it is still acceptable to play non-secular music in halls that adjoin churches. (nh/pg)