From a deacon at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City:
Unlike many of my Catholic friends, I enjoy a fair amount of contemporary Christian music. My enjoyment of such music, by no means all of it, as much of is lamentably bad, has no liturgical implications, which means I have no desire for it to comprise any part of the Sacred Liturgy. But for devotional purposes, I find some of it wonderfully suitable in that way only music can be. (more)
The Cathedral of the Madeleine happens to be the home of one of two Catholic elementary choir schools in the United States (here’s the other), so it’s safe to say that he has a fuller understanding of what constitutes liturgical music via lived experience.
My wife also enjoys listening to the local contemporary Christian radio station, and I appreciate the role that this music has played in her life of faith. But she has made no overtures to me about playing any of this repertoire in church, at Mass or otherwise. (Not that I have the final say in matters liturgical, anyway—that’s the pastor’s cross, ultimately.) Moreover, while we’re listening in the car, she will point out theological errors in the lyrics whenever they occur.
