Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-04-19
DIOCESAN MU SIC.
GREGoRIAN CHANT TO BE GRAD.
uALLY INTRODUCED IN THE
CATHOLIC CHURCHES
Committee for Diocese Of Davenport
Makes Report-change Is Not to BE
Made lmmediateIy-Rev. j. W..
sueppeI on committee-The Report.

| The commission appointed by Rt.
Rev. Henry Cosgrove to make recon.
mendations for the Catholic diocese of
Davenport towards carrying out the
encycl1cal Of his holiness, Pope Plus
X, in regard to church music, has
completed its report. Rev. Joseph w.
Sueppel, formerly assistant pastor of
st. Marys church in thi city, is a mem
Der of the commission. The report fol-
lows:
| The Report.
| AS the conditions in many parishes
In this country are such that the adop-
ton of the Gregorian chant in the
liturgical services of the Catholic
churches, as the pope orders, is inn
| possible, the committee only recon-
mends that the choirs of the churches
in the future, as soon as the new plan
can be adopted, will be composed of
| men and boys of the parish, a course
in church music to be taught in the
parochial schools, colleges and acad-
emies
| According to the "Motu Proprio" of
Pope Plus X. on this subject, which is
directed to the Catholics of all the
|
Gregorian or plain chant shall be es-
tablished in the church. Action to-
wards the adoption of this strict rule
cannot be taken Immediately, for the
reason that conditions are such that
| it would be impossible.
In Latin speaking countries, and in
those where the Gregorian chant has
been in use for years, it is different
from the American conditions, mas
much as this form of music is not
known or taught in this country.s That
this is true, is illustrated by thesfact
that even since the encyclical Of the
Pope has been issued, some parishes
and dioceses in this country have been
compelled to send men to Europe to
learn the chant and receive instruction
in the music to be used, in order that
they might return and instruct the
men who will hereafter be the compo-
nents of the choirs.
Accordingly the commission APP
pointed by the bishop of the Daven-
port diocese recommends the teach
ing of the required form of music In
the parochial schools, colleges and
academies, and also encourages con-
gregational singing.
| The Pope, according to the "Motu
4 Proprio issued by him on November
%, 1903, commands that the Greporian
chant be used in the liturgical func-
4 tions, but he does not forbid the rendi-
ton of the Cecilian or Palestrinian
music. This later style of music
should breathe, however, the spirit Of
religion.
The commission, which realizes the
fact that it would be impossible to es-
tablish the Gregorian chant in the
Catholic churches at the present time,
since it does not forbid the Palestrin-
ian or Cecilian music or even the mod
ern sacred music which is not oper-
attic, permits the singing of the "Glo-
ria," the "Credo," the "Kyrie" and
the Angus Der by the mixed choir,
but excludes the "Introit," the "Grad-
ual," the "Offertory" and the Com
munion.", AS the letter of the Pope
will be carried out in due time, how
ever, the plain chant by male voices
will be put into use as soon as condi-
/ tons will permit.
A pamphlet containing the complete
encyclical of Pope Plus x, the decree
of the congregation Of sacred rites, the
letter of the apostolical delegate, Mon
signore Falcino, and the other DEGREES
will be published in few weeks.
The following is the report of the
committee for the Davenport diocese:
The Commissions Report.
In accordance with the wish of the
sovereign pontiff, in the eighth para
4 graph Of the "Motu Proprio," our Rt.
Rev. Bishop Henry Cosgrove, D. D.,
and the Coadjutor Bishop James Davis,
D. D., have named Rev. A. j. Schultz,
Rev. j. T. A. Flanagan and Rev. ].
w. Sueppel, a commission to examine
into our local conditions, with view
to the enforcement Of the prescriptions
of the holy father on church music.
The commission begs to report:
| That the "Motu Proprio'' of his holi.
ness Plus X, issued November 20,
Congregation of Sacred Rites issued
January s, 1904, and numerous other
decisions and regulations of the same
congregation, interpretive of the mo
tn Proprio," have the full force of law
and are binding in conscience.
81 The recent letter of his excellency
Iue dpOStOllC uSiSSdIe, W ItSV. LIT
! Heuer, but emphasizes the necessity OF
introducing these reforms in church
music, quamprimum.
IL.
| That our obligation to fulfill the re
quirements of the "Motu Proprio" is
forcibly expressed by the following
words of his excellency, the apostolic
delegate: "The instruction of our holy
father is clear and evident. 1t is di
rected to the whole Catholic world. Nc
nation is exempt. 1t has judicial anG
authoritative, binding character every
$ where, upon all Catholics. We will,
says the holy father, with the fullness
of our apostolic authority, that the
force of law be given Ito the said Mo
|, tn Proprio) and we do by our presen
handwriting impose its scrupulous OBJ
!, servance upon ALL
; That, since it is a matter of con
: science and question of our obedi
' ence and Loyalty to the Holy See, tt
observe the enactments as laid doW1