In a strange and well … strange email to Jeff Miller (the Curt Jester), Marty Haugen has voiced his displeasure over the criticism he has received.

Primarily, Haugen is writing in his defense after oft being accused of single-handedly destroying Catholic music. An unfair charge since he most certainly had help. I liken Haugen to a weapons manufacturer who doesn’t care into whose hands his weapons fall. While not directly responsible for the destruction, he certainly had a hand in it.

Anyway, Haugen caught his fair share of criticism some months ago when he wrote:

First of all, although I am not Roman Catholic, I have a deep love and respect for and faith in the worship tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. My own hesitancy about joining the Church is not about its eucharistic theology, but rather around the unwillingness of the Church to commission, ordain and welcome all humans as Jesus did–male and female, married and unmarried, saints and sinners. I believe that the Church, God’s people and all of creation have suffered from this omission.

I do not think of my own music as central or important to Roman Catholic worship, present or future.

So he believes in the Eucharistic theology but women, married, or gay priests are a deal breaker for him. Apparently, he is as fatuous as his music.

In his letter to Jeff Miller, Haugen complains about the treatment he has received and he includes this odd accusation:

I pray for us all, (especially) for those who think my prayers might not be heard as well as theirs. Don’t we all want God’s Reign to come? My music is not at the heart of what we seek and do as Christians. What we sing is not as important as how we live.

Now I am not sure what he means by this, but if his prayers (as indicated by his earlier writing), are for gay married womynpriests, then yes. Your prayers will not as well heard as others.

So if you have been tempted to think that Marty bears an unfair burden for the damage done over the past decades, just remember what he has said here.

Haugen Locuta Est – Causa Finita Est. Haugen has spoken, the case is closed.