Flemish Bishops Halt Tony Schollaert’s Music Following Abuse Allegations

Brussels (Eurotoday – Flemish bishops will stop using Tony Schollaert’s music in church services due to abuse allegations, prioritizing survivor support.

The Flemish bishops have decided to follow the advice of a group that helps the Church deal with sexual abuse cases. This group is called the Supervisory Board. They talked about the music of Tony Schollaert, who has been accused of sexual abuse. His songs are often used in church services. The group thought carefully about whether it was right to keep using his music.

How are Flemish bishops addressing Schollaert’s abuse allegations?

The Supervisory Board considered how this decision would affect survivors of abuse. The group believes that the Church should send a clear message to these survivors. The bishops want to support victims and help them heal. By following this advice, the bishops aim to show that the Church is serious about dealing with abuse and caring for those who have suffered.

During the Pope’s visit in September, there was a sudden panic when the choir had to learn a new song just four days before the event. They had to change from ‘Magnificat,’ a song by Tony Schollaert, a priest known for child abuse. The bishop of Hasselt did not attend because he had spoken positively about Schollaert before. Schollaert passed away in September last year. After the visit, it was revealed that Schollaert had reached a settlement with one of his victims in 2002, which many people did not know about at the time.

Church bans Schollaert’s songs while supporting local choice

The Council has told bishops not to use songs by Schollaert in church services. They made this decision after considering the artist’s behavior, which has raised concerns. The Council understands that Schollaert’s music has value in the church’s history, but they feel it is important to listen to the community’s feelings on this issue. They want to respect the contributions of artists while also being aware of their actions. By choosing this path, the Church hopes to keep its practices honest and responsible, ensuring that they do not upset or harm the community by continuing to use Schollaert’s songs.

The bishops also advised not to use his song lyrics in any future church materials, such as calendars or suggestions for liturgical celebrations. Authorities mentioned that this decision reflects the Church’s desire to distance itself from Schollaert’s work in both public and private worship settings. 

The Supervisory Board has announced that there is no need to make changes to Schollaert’s songbook, “Zingt Jubilate.” This means that local religious communities can continue to use it as before. The Board believes that each choir should make its own choice about whether to keep singing Schollaert’s songs. 

They have also advised leaders of parishes, religious groups, and choirs to be cautious, especially where vulnerable people might be present. In such cases, they suggest looking for suitable alternative songs when possible. This guidance aims to ensure the safety and comfort of all members of the community.

The decision to stop using Schollaert’s songs in church services may affect the popularity of his songbook, “Zingt Jubilate.” It has been said that local communities can still use his music, but the church’s choice might make choirs and parishes less likely to pick his songs. This could lead to fewer people hearing his music during services. As churches look for new music, they may start to prefer other songs instead of Schollaert’s. This change could affect how important his work is in worship in the future.