• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

The Plague

Aurelio Porfiri · August 13, 2014

951 Pope Francis HAVE NEVER actually met Pope Francis; I just saw him from afar at the funeral of one of my most important teachers, who was also a Cardinal. I never had the chance to meet him closely, like with Saint John Paul II or Benedict XVI. I might have seen Paul VI up close when I was very young, but this did not happen either with Pope Francis and maybe will never. But, imagine for the sake of this article, that one day I will be admitted in Santa Marta and have a conversation with him.

What will be the important thing that I will tell him? Please care about sacred music? No. Say something against abuses of the liturgy? Don’t think so. Please declare officially that the Catholic Church did not start with Vatican II? Not necessary. I mean, all very important things, but all in a certain way subordinated to the very thing I should have the courage to tell him: Holy Father, Pope Francis, my Bishop, please free us from the plague of clericalism! If you think the problem is really there. It is this abuse of their function from the clergy that makes everything else fall down.

It is the abuse of those that use the Church instead of serving the Church, those that are protected from their bishops even if caught in crime, those that manipulate other people’s minds, hiding behind the respectable dress they are wearing. But is Pope Francis aware of this plague? Of course! On December 16th 2013, in Santa Marta Chapel for his daily Mass he said: “Lord, free your people from a spirit of clericalism and aid them with a spirit of prophecy.” A little before this, on November 29th, he met with the superior generals and warned them to be careful with the training of future priests, to not risk creating “little monsters.” Speaking of seminarians, he added that they may: “grit their teeth, try not to make mistakes, follow the rules smiling a lot, just waiting for the day when they are told ‘Good, you have finished formation.’ This hypocrisy is the result of clericalism, which is one of the worst evils.”

If I may extrapolate from the Pope’s statement: it is the worst evil, the root of all abuses towards people and also liturgical rites. Clericalism is what makes millions of people stay away from the Church, and it is a terminal disease. Unfortunately, this disease affects the Church for a long, long time. Also, perhaps there is something in the Church’s nature that makes it susceptible to this disease (though it is not proper only to the Church), and can never go away. One of the qualities of Pope Francis that I appreciate him for, is having his eyes open on his clergy. But my hope is subdued: the task is too big for one man coming from the end of the world.


BOTTEGA • Aurelio Porfiri is where you can discover
many of Mæstro Porfiri’s compositions in PDF format.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Pope Francis Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Aurelio Porfiri

Renowned as composer, conductor, theorist, author, pedagogue, and organist, Aurelio Porfiri has served the Church on multiple continents at the highest levels. Born and raised in Italy, he currently serves as Director of Choral Activities and Composer in Residence for Santa Rosa de Lima School (Macao, China).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”
    If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“At the hour for the Divine Office, | as soon as the signal is heard, | let them abandon whatever they may have in hand | and hasten with the greatest speed, | yet with seriousness, so that there is no excuse for levity. | Let nothing be preferred to the sacred liturgy.”

— Rule of St. Benedict (Chapter 43)

Recent Posts

  • “Reverent Catholic Mass Finder” (Website)
  • Powerful Images • “Father John Brébeuf”
  • “Best & Worst Responses” • This Survey Was Responded To By 300+ Church Musicians
  • “Offertory Verses and Why You Should Sing Them” (Includes PDF Download)
  • “Colorado Sacred Music Conference” August 9-10 (2023) • Highlands Ranch, CO

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.