Church leader questions decision to hold concert on historic site, blasting music during early evening Mass

The man who may end up becoming Guam’s next archbishop said there’s nothing wrong with concerts, and there’s nothing wrong with concerts in Agana, but in a Sunday sermon, Monsignor James Benavente took issue with Saturday evening concert preparations that blasted music straight into the Agana Cathedral. During Mass.

An April 20 concert at the Plaza de Espana was scheduled to begin at 5:20 p.m., about 20 minutes after the regularly-scheduled Saturday evening Mass at the Cathedral. However, according to the monsignor, the loud music started around 4 p.m. and ran through the Mass.

“When we Catholics gather here, the most important thing we are doing this whole week is celebrating the Holy Eucharist,” Monsignor Benavente said in his homily Sunday morning. The Catholic Church’s celebration of the Holy Eucharist occurs during the second part of the Mass. Catholics have an obligation to celebrate the Mass weekly, normally on Sundays, but they can also fulfill that obligation during the vigil, which is on Saturday nights in most churches.

“There’s nothing wrong with a concert,” he went on to say. “There’s nothing wrong with concert goers. But what is it saying to us Catholics and to those who may be indifferent or those who may not even be aware of what they are doing?”

The concern was shared by Chris Barnett, the senator who runs the committee that issues permits for the use of the Plaza de Espana. The property belongs to the Guam Legislature. There is no prohibition on annoyances or the impediment of operations of surrounding establishments, according to the park usage permit. The Plaza is located right next to the Cathedral.

“First of all, I want to apologize to Monsignor Benavente and the faithful who attended Mass with music blasting,” the senator said, continuing:

“The park permit for the Plaza de Espana does not have any clauses that prohibit loud noises from any event held at the Plaza. The primary rules of use are set in place to protect the historical value of the park.

“When we issue a permit, we always advise promoters of the Mass schedule, and ask organizers to be mindful of this and respect the faith.

“Sacrificing an hour or a little bit of time to show deference to the Holy Mass or any events being held at the Cathedral  isn’t asking too much of concert or event promoters. It’s the respectful thing to do.

“I’m disappointed this didn’t happen, and I thinks it’s clear we need to amend our procedures and policies to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

The monsignor reminded parishioners about a large concert previously held at the Paseo de Susana that ripped up the field. He questioned the wisdom of the government in allowing a similar event to happen, not just on a field, but on one that is on the registry of historic places.

“The grounds were ruined and people complained,” he said of the previous Paseo concert. “So people weren’t allowed there, but they are allowed here on a historical site. There’s a law that says … that you cannot spike a rod into the ground, because it’s defacing a historical site. Why can’t there be a law that says concerts cannot be held next door? Or why can’t there be a law that says concerts can’t begin until after 6 p.m.? If not to respect the Cathedral Basilica – the presence of Jesus Christ here as well as the worshippers, the Catholics who come to pray here – then at least to respect the historical site of the Plaza. You don’t have to spike rods into the ground to desecrate historical sites. How we use the grounds also reflects how we feel about the place.”

“I bring this up simply to remind ourselves of what is the most important thing for us, as we come into this sacred grounds and into this sacred place,” the monsignor said at the end of homily, “to celebrate the true presence of Jesus Christ here in the Eucharist. That is by far more important. And perhaps we as Catholics need to stand up and speak a little louder about what we stand for and what we represent.”

Parishioners reported to Kandit that some of the owners of companies that sponsored the concert were sitting in the front pew as the monsignor was giving his homily. They reportedly were not pleased about the decision by concert organizers to blast music during the Saturday evening Mass.