Missouri Bishop Reverses Ban on “All Are Welcome,” Other Hymns

Bishop Shawn McKnight

After initially banning certain hymns, including “All Are Welcome,” Jefferson City’s Bishop Shawn McKnight has walked back the restrictions and promised a synodal process on the issue of music at Mass, according to America.

The bishop’s decree issued in October blacklisted works by three composers who were credibly accused of sexual abuse: David Haas, the late Father Cesáreo Gabarain, and Ed Conlin.

The decree also banned 12 specific hymns that were found to be “doctrinally problematic” by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: “All Are Welcome” by Marty Haugen; “Ashes” by Tom Conry; “Bread of Life” by Bernadette Farrell; “Celtic Alleluia: Sending Forth” by Christopher Walker and Fintan O’Carroll; “Covenant Hymn” by Rory Cooney and Gary Daigle; “For the Healing of the Nations” by Fred Kaan, John Wade and Randall DeBruyn; “God Has Chosen Me” by Bernadette Farrell; “Halleluya! We Sing Your Praises,” an anonymous South African composition; “Led by the Spirit” by Bob Hurd; “Many and Great” by Paulist Father Ricky Manalo; “Table of Plenty” by Dan Schutte; and “Three Days” by M.D. Ridge and Casey McKinley.

Reasons for banning a hymn ranged from “promoting doctrinally incorrect views of the Jewish people and of Christian anthropology” to “highlighting the communal and social dimensions of the Eucharist, without giving proper emphasis also to Christ’s sacrifice and his real presence.”

Local Catholics were particularly upset by the blacklisting of “All Are Welcome,” a hymn favored by Catholics who support an inclusive church, particularly for LGBTQ+ people. A quick scan of the lyrics reveals that none of the issues McKnight mentioned are present in the song, which contains verses such as “Let us build a house Where love can dwell” and “Here the cross shall stand as witness/And a symbol of God’s grace/Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus” before the chorus “all are welcome.”

McKnight walked back the decree, and instead has asked for there to be a consultative process for music selection. The National Catholic Reporter quoted McKnight’s thoughts on the shift, which he had originally shared with The Catholic Missourian:

“The decision to prohibit specific songs and composers led to a spirited discussion, including on social media, as well as stories and opinions shared in some Catholic media outlets outside the diocese.

“‘It is now clear that an authentically synodal process of greater consultation did not occur prior to its promulgation.

“‘It is inspiring to see such passion and enthusiasm about the music that enlivens our Catholic liturgies,’ he said. ‘Whenever we see this kind of fervor among the faithful, our church gives us the perfect way to respond — a synodal response.'”

Regarding the initial ban on “All Are Welcome,” Bob Batastini, a Michigan pastoral musician who has played music in Catholic churches for seven decades, told the National Catholic Reporter that, “I have never, ever in my life, had anyone say to me that a hymn is inappropriate — never on a theological or scriptural basis,” when the ban was first issued.

Meredith Stidham, pianist and music director at Holy Spirit Parish in Centralia, Missouri, echoed Batastini’s disappointment, but added, “It doesn’t take away from the celebration of the Eucharist. It doesn’t take away from my faith.”

The consultative process will allow people to become more involved in decisions regarding hymns and Mass. “Rather than the faithful being relegated to the outside as commenters on a decision, with their only response being either obedience or disobedience, it is better to invite everyone in our diocese into a discernment process,” McKnight said.

—Elsie Carson-Holt, New Ways Ministry, December 2, 2024