There are many aspects of Music in Catholic Worship that need revision. The purposes of music should be stated clearly; I would say that there are two overriding purposes: to make the liturgy more beautiful and to emphasize its sacred character.
To accomplish these purposes, the statements about the aesthetic judgment need re-emphasis. A principal problem today is that the quality of the music--not just the texts--is mediocre; it fulfills what then Cardinal Ratzinger called utility music, concluding that utility music is useless. Only music that is truly beautiful should have a place in the liturgy.
Thus begins William Mahrt's statement at the October 9, 2006, consultation on music held by the USCCB's Committee on the Liturgy. I encourage you to examine the entire text, including his concluding point-by-point suggestions for revision.
