Peter Luongo, a parish music director in Surrey, is in a quandary.
He has frequently used the music of popular Catholic composer David Haas at Mass. But in light of recent allegations of sexual abuse against the U.S.-based songwriter, Luongo is torn over the use of such popular songs as You Are Mine, Blest Are They, We Have Been Told, and We Are Called.
“It saddens me because the music is beautiful. I believe that the music David Haas has created has inspired Catholics, inspired Christians, has inspired non-believers,” said Luongo. “If those allegations are true, that is a concern.”
In recent months, sexual abuse allegations against Haas have left many music directors in a confusing position.
Dozens of dioceses in the U.S., including the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (where Haas is based) have responded by cancelling his events and banning the use of his music at Mass. Others have not taken a public position, as Haas has not been criminally charged or found guilty of any allegations.
At a time when music ministers are already grappling with how COVID-19 regulations affect music for liturgies, they have been confronted with an added layer of difficult questions.
When Luongo learned about the allegations of sexual misconduct and spiritual manipulation against Haas, he said Jean Vanier came to mind. The lay Catholic philanthropist and founder of L’Arche International, a non-profit that supports people with developmental disabilities, was found to be the perpetrator of sexual misconduct in an independent investigation earlier this year.
Unlike Vanier, in Haas’ case there have been no criminal charges or independent investigations. So where does that leave music ministers?
“The expression ‘where there’s smoke, there must be fire’ seems to apply, but it’s interesting to note that no charges or complaints have been formally filed despite multiple allegations,” said Luongo. “I think we always have to respect that they are allegations until they are proven and I would always want to ensure that I was not passing judgment.”
That said, “there will never be a time when (the) allegations against him are acceptable in our world.”
Coquitlam music minister Tami Comuzzi said she was also saddened and shocked to hear of the allegations against Haas. She said she has previously found Haas’ song You are Mine particularly moving and comforting, especially at funerals.
“It’s always a sad day when someone with that amount of responsibility and influence in our Catholic music gets charged with something with that. It’s sad. It affects everyone.”
She said if Haas’ music offends someone in the congregation, she is fine with leaving it out of her repertoire. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s been asked to make changes to the way she does things. “As music ministry, we’re here to serve. We’re here to focus on the liturgy and to assist the liturgy, to make it beautiful.”
According to the New York Times, about a third of American dioceses have stopped using Haas’ music. At least one hymnal publisher has dropped him, too. The Archdiocese of Vancouver has not made a public statement about Haas.
“The complaints about Haas are particularly concerning, since they involve offenses against the dignity of the human person and are alleged to have occurred at Catholic events,” said the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in a statement in June.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda decided, “David Haas may not give presentations at workshops, concerts, or similar events hosted by the Archdiocese, parishes, Catholic schools, or other Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese,” and his music can’t be used at any archdiocesan Masses or events, either.
He urged pastors, principals, and other heads of Catholic groups to “consider the sensitivities involved with using Haas’ music” at their gatherings and to “fully support those who have been harmed by sexual assault or abuse.”
Into Account, a Kansas-based advocacy group for survivors of abuse, said it received reports from multiple individuals about Haas. Executive director Stephanie Krehbiel told Catholic News Agency they heard from nearly a dozen alleged victims.
“The pattern that emerges from the reports … constitutes a repeated, unethical abuse of the professional and spiritual power he has had in church music circles,” said Into Account.
Haas initially denied the allegations as “false, reckless, and offensive,” but in July he released a public letter apologizing for causing harm to “a variety of people,” without specifying what harm or allegations he was responding to.
“I take responsibility for my behaviour and I am truly sorry,” he wrote. “I never, ever, intended to hurt anyone. I realize now that even well-intentioned actions may have hurtful impact and consequences. Through the help of professional intervention and treatment, I am at the beginning of a path toward greater self-insight, insight to help me face and truly understand how my actions have violated trust.”
He added he prays for forgiveness from God, from “those whom I have wounded,” and from the church community scandalized by it all. At the close of his letter, he included contact information for RAINN, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S.
To report abuse by clergy or lay person in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, visit www.rcav.org/reporting.
