| Written by David Wang, The Catholic Register,
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I am always amazed at how organizers of Catholic events treat Catholic artists at their events. From Pope John Paul II’s visit to St. Louis many years ago which featured almost entirely Protestant artists (one actually criticized the pope in print) to the recent visit by Pope Benedict to New York City, where the youth festival featured Kelly Clarkson instead of any number of worthy Catholic artists, I continue to hear horror stories from Catholic artists about how they feel marginalized by their own denomination.
Now, I can include my band, Critical Mass, in the same category.
Critical Mass is probably not going to be involved in the festival at this year’s Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City, despite donating our time at several events leading up to the event. Critical Mass and myself were also instrumental in creating the Gift of God compilation CD for the event and we were consulted about what artists to include in the festival. In fact, I believe we were instrumental in getting the Congress to treat artists, who do not get paid for this event, as volunteers rather than pilgrims. Otherwise, the artists would have to pay to do their music ministry at the event.
Now, we in Critical Mass all have day jobs and for almost six months, the organizers have realized that Critical Mass could only appear on the Saturday of the event. Despite all our hard work, we were recently told we could perform on the Friday (which the organizers acknowledged would be impossible for us) or perform in the morning on the Saturday at a time that, in their own words, is “not the greatest timeslot, but hey, there could be a good number of people milling about the site.” Unfortunately, this would put the band’s time slot at around the same time as Mass.
We were then told “Saturday is an odd day for scheduling, ... we have scheduled our invited Protestant guests (for a 90-minute show) in the afternoon... They were really honoured to be invited and actually surprised to be invited by Catholics... we are doing a lot for Christian unity by granting them 90 minutes in a two-day schedule.”
I too am surprised that an event focusing on the Eucharist would bump a group whose focus is on the Eucharist, Confession and the church in favour of a band that does not believe in any of these things.
When word that we would likely not be at the Congress got out, this started a whirlwind of commentary from other Catholic artists on several different discussion forums.
“Catholic artists should be front and centre at these kinds of experiences, not marginalized to some terrible time slot out of pity,” argues Nancy Kreb. She continues, “Why do they feel ecumenism is more important than songs proclaiming Catholic truths to Catholic audiences (many of whom need the truths reinforced)?”
Artist and Grapevine Magazine editor Susan Bailey concurs.
“What is it going to take to show those in charge that music espousing Catholic beliefs is not only good, but necessary?”
Alex Kubic of www.topcatholicsongs.com brings up an alternate viewpoint.
“I believe that the Catholic culture (or lack thereof in this hemisphere) has given people the impression (many times justified) that Protestant music is good and Catholic music is fledgling at best. When offered the opportunity to have a ‘real professional’ Christian band or a Catholic band, they are more concerned with selling tickets and driving publicity. The Catholic band, no matter how good in reality, is perceived as amateur in comparison. Protestant bands sell out arenas, so to an event planner, they are better.”
Hugh van der Linden of The Perfect Cry sums it all most succinctly for most artists with the comment, “It’s hard to not be sarcastic and cynical.”
Now, I don’t want to give the impression that I am bitter, although I admit I am disappointed that I can’t help to present the truths of the Catholic Church to the youth at this event. This event was one where we were donating our time and possibly losing hundreds of dollars, so in that respect, it is almost a bit of a relief to be put into this position. However, the organizers of Catholic events have to start realizing that when artists are not treated well, the artists feel it as a whole. There is a unity among Catholic musicians that is extraordinary. The church can use this unity to help minister to their unchurched or they can continue to create an “us versus them” environment, which is completely detrimental to all sides.
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