Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-17
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHOIRS
MUST BE REORGANIZED
Gibbons Expected Order Popes Bull Obeyed tc
the Letter-Ma1e- Voices Only
Cardinal Gibbons

No official action of Pope Plus x since, his
election to the chair of ST. Peter at Rome
on August 6, 1903, has created more wide
spread comment than his famous 'motu
proprio" bull, or personal pronunciamento,
in regard to the form of music in the Ro-
man Catholic Church. This bull was one
Of his ca rliest communications to the clergy,
being issued in November of that year, and
while the paper was not in the form or
command it was felt at the time by those
familiar with the pope's taste and interest
in the matter that 1t was tantamount to
such.
Compliance with this desire has not been
as rapid In the local diocese as the desires
of the pope are thought to warrant,
and it can be stated on good authority that
Cardinal Gibbons is about to send out
an emphatic communication in regard to
this matter. It WILL of course, be addressed
to the clergy. and while its contents are not
known in detail at present, 1t Will admit OF
no further laxity in regard to the matter by
the churches of the diocese.
This will doubtless come as both sur
prise and disappointment to many IN WASH
ington, where in several Cathohc churches
the mixed choir has been an especially at
tractiye part of the service. Here there are
choirs that rank with the best In the coun-
try-choirs that have taken much time
energy and money Tor their deVelopHleht
and maintenance.
While several Catholic churches had al
ready changed to the male voices altogeth-
err, it was confidently hoped by large BODY
of interested ones that the change would
not be general and complete, as this FORTH
coming letter of the cardinal will make nee
essary 1t is even limited that a time limit
of one year has been set by the cardinal,
during which time the necessary arrange
ments may be made.
In connection with the letter Of the car
dinal on the subject of church music in
the diocese it is stated that he plans to
appoint or direct the appointment Of
committee on music in each parish in the
diocese, the duties of these committees be-
ing to see that the spirit and motif OF the
Gregorian chant is properly carried out.
This committee will, in turn, be augmented
by an executive general committee on
church music for the diocese. In order that
a homogeneous plan of procedure may be
carried out and both the spirit and letter OF
the popes bull complied with. Rev. w; 7.
Russell secretary to Cardinal Gibbons, has
been announced as chairman of the COM
mittee of priests and laymen on church
music.
In the famous bull Pope Plus X laid down
a comprehensive set of general principles
Ia regard to church music. He said, in
part: Sacred music. being complimentary
part of the solemn liturgy, participates in
the general scope of the liturgy. which is to
the glory OF God and the sanctifcation and
edifcation of the faithful. Sacred music
should consequently possess in the highest
degree the qualities proper to the liturgy,
and precisely sanctity and goodness of
form, from which it's other character of uni
versatility spontaneously springs. 1t must
be holy and must, therefore, exclude all pro-
family, not only In itself. but In the manner
In which it is presented by those who exc
cute It.
1T must be true art, for otherwise It will
be impossible for 1t to exercise on the minds
of those who listen to 1t that efficacy which
the church aims at obtaining in admitting
into her liturgy the art of musical sound.
But 1t must at the same time be universal
mitted to admit into It's ecclesiastical COM
positions those special forms which may be
said to constitute it's native music Still.