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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Father Richard McBrien & The Passing Of An Era

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2015

425 Fred Thompson HOEVER CAME UP with the phrase “speak no ill of the dead” surely had good intentions, but there’s a problem here.

People who cite that phrase have no qualms about recounting the history of Adolf Hitler (who’s dead). The same people are comfortable speaking of Watergate and the involvement of Richard Nixon (who’s dead). Thousands more examples could be given. Only a hypocrite, then, would contend that objective facts about someone’s life are off limits once they’ve passed into eternity. Whether we like it or not, the objective facts remain.

That’s why, for example, I have no problem discussing Watergate, even though Richard Nixon died in 1994.

When I heard about the death of Fr. Richard McBrien, I found myself reflecting upon old questions which refuse to go away. Along with so many Catholics, I asked, “How could this man have remained a priest, while publicly denying so many fundamental Catholic teachings?” After all these years, I still don’t have an answer. In 2008, McBrien was asked why he remained in the Catholic Church. He answered, “I was born in it.” He failed to give the only correct answer, demonstrating that he lacked a basic understanding of the Faith. It is unacceptable to be a Catholic merely because one “was raised” Catholic or “feels comfortable” around Catholics. The only correct reason to be Catholic is that one believes in the truth of the Catholic Faith. 1

Much has been written concerning McBrien’s dissent. It bothered me tremendously that he usually wore his Roman collar only when he appeared on television. He even admitted it, declaring, “My Roman collar is my television uniform.” Hearing this makes me so agitated—and it doesn’t help that I’m half Irish. Appearing on television is the one time HE SHOULD NOT have worn his Roman collar. I would not object if he only wore his collar when caring for the poor, but appearing on television dressed as a priest while disssenting from the central truths of the faith I consider shameful. For the record, Fr. McBrien was not alone. Many years ago, I worked for a priest who always wore a Hawaiian shirt. Once—when an FSSP priest who always wore the cassock visited him—he emerged from his rectory wearing a cassock!  But only for that day.

As I’ve said, I cannot explain why someone like Fr. McBrien was allowed to remain a Catholic priest, but perhaps Bishop Fulton Sheen hit the nail on the head when he said, “If the Church were as holy and perfect as some would want, those same people would be too ashamed to seek admittance, because of their great sins.” That is to say, we should focus on our sins, not the errors of others. As usual, Sheen is right—but it’s not always easy.

EVEN IN THIS AGE OF LIES, there are still a few things—albeit only a very few—people will not tolerate. For example, after the Watergate tapes were made public, people would not tolerate Richard Nixon condemning “dishonest politicians.”

This has led to a surprising liturgical development. For years, those seeking to eliminate the Traditional Latin Mass insisted upon tolerance for diversity in worship. Therefore, when Catholics choose the Extraordinary Form, there’s nothing these folks can say without coming across as horrendous hypocrites. It never occurred to them that so many would ardently desire this venerable rite. They concentrated so strenuously on promoting “liturgical diversity” and “letting everyone have what he prefers” they boxed themselves into a corner.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Without question, other factors can also contribute. Fr. McBrien mentioned some other reasons, but failed to give the only authentic answer; which is kind of scary considering the education he received.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Watergate Scandal Last Updated: September 25, 2023

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 5 October 2025, which is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. Readers will want to check out the ENTRANCE CHANT posted there, which has a haunting melody (in the DEUTERUS MODE) and extremely powerful text.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The Sanctus and Benedictus are one text and should be sung through without a break. The practice—once common—of waiting till after the Consecration and then singing: “Benedictus qui venit…” is not allowed by the Vatican Gradual.

— Father Fortescue, writing in 1912

Recent Posts

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  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
  • “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)

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