When the truth is that there would be no great Western music, and certainly no decent choral repertoire, without the Catholic faith.
Never have so many recordings of the great Masses and motets been in wider circulation.
Music had always been the handmaid of the Roman liturgy.
Then suddenly the Roman liturgy disappeared as we knew it.
The pastor of a parish will typically have no education in the chant or in music, and he will hire the first music director who walks through the door.
Even Catholic parishes today are not wanting for talent. But no serious singer or organist will get anywhere near the typical music program, at least if he wants to retain his self-respect.
There's nothing stupider than bursting into song for seven seconds and then falling silent again.
