HCH File Photo
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
No singing in church. Or playing wind instruments.
That’s the latest directive by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, issued Aug. 18, to affect Catholic worship.
Why singing? Because, the ruling explains, it (and other similar activities) “increases the presence and propulsion of respiratory droplets in the air.”
Respiratory droplets spread the coronavirus.
The mayor’s restrictions come with qualifications. Singing/playing the flute is permitted if the singer/flute player is at least 10 feet distant from others. But a group of singers, smaller than 10 members, may be closer to each other when performing. Larger groups are not allowed.
However, this permission to sing is contingent on there being “a physical barrier (e.g.. plexiglass) of sufficient size to mitigate the spread of COVID-19” separating the singer/trumpet player from everyone else.
How these convoluted instructions affected Catholic worship prompted quick clarification from Deacon Modesto Cordero, director of the diocesan Office of Worship.
His Aug. 19 memo to parishes made it simple: No singing. At all. No trombones, either.
“Singing during the celebration of the Mass or at any other church gatherings is to be suspended,” the memo said. “The use of wind instruments (other than the organ) is also prohibited.”
Instrumental music is permitted provided the instruments do not depend on someone blowing into them.
How about recorded vocal music?
That also is frowned upon, the Deacon Cordero explained in second Aug. 20 memo, but for liturgical rather than health reasons.
Liturgical musicians are participating liturgical ministers and cannot be replaced electronically, he said. Recorded music does not authentically represent the worshipping assembly present.
Besides, he said, “If hymns are played with recorded lyrics, it is likely that many will sing along, thus defeating the purpose of the order.”
He said Bishop Larry Silva and he agreed that the mayor’s orders with all their stipulations made it very difficult, if not impossible, to allow singing at Mass.
For instance, he said that many of Hawaii churches are too small to accommodate the 10-foot distancing rules.
Also, the deacon said, if a cantor is allowed to sing, what’s to prevent the people, only six-feet apart from each other, from singing in response.
And providing “physical barriers of sufficient size” would be too difficult.
The mayor’s rulings, which were effective Aug. 19, will last for the next 28 days or until further notice.
Though they are only for Oahu, the bishop has asked neighbor island pastors and administrators “to consider implementing these restrictions in their own parishes” to continue the fight against the virus.
“Always follow the latest instructions from your own county mayor,” he added.
The bishop remains patient and restrained in light of these latest restrictions, Deacon Cordero observed, citing one of the bishop’s prior emails: “These are very difficult days and all of us are being asked to do things we would rather not do for the sake of charity toward others. We must do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so that it will soon become no more than a terrible memory.”
