In his 5 November decree, McKnight wrote "It is now clear that an authentically synodal process of greater consultation did not occur prior to its promulgation".

He said he had ordered a "more comprehensive consultation with the relevant parties within the diocese" related to sacred music.

The move will now include the views of musicians, music ministers and "everyone else who has a perspective on the music used in liturgies across the diocese".

He is looking to have a decision by August 2025.

"I am excited about moving forward with an open mind and an open heart" McKnight says.

"Music is such an important part of who we are as Catholics … I am eager to hear from everyone, in a synodal process of deep listening, as we embark on this process together."

Through this, McKnight aims to determine how best to use sacred music to encourage active liturgy participation.

Forbidden hymns back for now

In his decree of October 24, McKnight listed a dozen commonly used contemporary hymns that were to be "absolutely forbidden" in the diocese after the end of the month.

He obtained that list from Father Daniel Merz, a diocesan pastor and chairman of the diocesan liturgical commission. After several years of research and consultations with priests ministering in the diocese, Merz recommended banning the hymns.

McKnight's new decree notes it is "important to recognise that some hymns in current distribution may not be appropriate for use in Catholic liturgies".

Unlike his October decree, the new one does not include the names of any of the previously banned hymns.

Instead, it describes the criteria set by the US bishops' Committee on Doctrine that must be considered when determining whether a hymn is suitable for the liturgy.

McKnight acknowledges the "spirited discussion" on social media and various media outlets following the publication of the banned hymn list.

Banned composers stay banned

The new decree retains a diocesan ban on the use of any music composed by persons who "have been found by his or her diocesan bishop or competent authority to be credibly accused of sexual abuse".

It specifically mentions hymns and music by David Haas, Cesaréo Gabarain and Ed Conlin.

"It is vital that we ensure the greatest care be taken to prevent scandal from marring the beautiful celebration of the Eucharist" McKnight noted.

Source

• CNA

On Tuesday, the Vatican announced the resignation of Bishop Robert Finn of the diocese of St Joseph-Kansas City in Missouri.

The announcement cited canon law that a bishop who "has become less able to fulfil his office because of ill health or some other grave cause is earnestly requested to present his resignation from office".

Bishop Finn, 62, had made a surprise visit to Rome on April 14, during which he met the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

In 2012, Bishop Finn was convicted on a misdemeanour count of failing to report suspected child abuse in the case of former priest Fr Shawn Ratigan, who produced child pornography.

The bishop had failed to inform authorities when a computer technician discovered hundreds of indecent photos of underage minors on Ratigan's laptop.

Bishop Finn sent him for therapy and ordered him to not be near children. Ratigan had reportedly attempted suicide.

But the priest continued to attend church events and take inappropriate photos of girls for five more months.

Church officials reported him in May, 2011, without Bishop Finn's approval.

After conviction, the bishop was given a suspended sentence and later struck a deal to avoid a similar charge by entering a diversion programme.

Local Catholics began calling for Bishop Finn's resignation in 2011.

An online petition asking for the Vatican to remove him was opened in 2012 and gathered more than 260,000 signatures.

An apostolic visitation of St Joseph-Kansas City diocese was carried out by Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa in September, 2014.

Spokespeople for the diocese said in the wake of Bishop Finn's resignation that now is the time for healing.

According to an article in the National Catholic Reporter, the bishop's resignation "will have significance beyond the borders of Missouri".

"The issue of holding bishops accountable has long been the largest and most provocative unresolved element in the Church's handling of sexual abuse cases," the article stated.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• The Tablet
• Crux
• Image: Kansas City Star