The Recovering Choir Director

Peace, all.

I think Fr Tucker misses many possible reasons for his alleged monopoly:
- Few clergy have command of Latin and clerical comfort (or the avoidance of incompetence) drives the show.
- Most all Catholics prefer the vernacular, as they did when the liturgy was first celebrated in Latin (not the original liturgical language, btw).
- Most importantly, Latin became the rallying banner for those opposed to Vatican II. Language and musical style became more the sign of the opposition, and I think Latin and plainsong suffer prejudice because of this.
- The Tridentine Mass is also responsible for the dearth of Roman Missal Latin Masses. The strongest market for Latin and plainsong among the laity has been dried up by the movement they would be sympathetic to. I’d prefer a happy retirement for the 1962 Missal, replaced by common celebrations of the 1970 Missal in Latin. This would be healthier than the continuing balkanization along political lines.

It might also be that liturgy in the vernacular is perceived as “better” by the faithful in the pews. Intelligibility, participation, comprehension are important values. Artistic elan, much as it might please me and many church musicians, is not the prime consideration of Mr and Mrs Pew