We have discussed this at great length. I would think a search would find some of those posts. Just guessing since I don't do much searching. Hymnal publishers do what publishers do and we pew folks (retired musician in my case) have very little control over it. I suspect the composer who shall not be named will have works performed for many years to come. Even if his works are removed from new hymnals, the old hymnals can easily be in use for another 20 years. Given the quality of "Gather" binding, maybe not.

In 1971 the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments actually forbid the use of Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" in Catholic weddings, in part because Wagner was a notorious anti-Semite, and in part because in Wagner's Lohengrin (whence cometh the famous march) the bride dies immediately after her wedding. Neither sentiment is great for a couple just starting their life together...

The IntoAccount report suggests that Haas used his music to abuse; he'd record and re-record all sorts of things to lure his victims into the studio, among other things. Other issues of the actual music aside, that's the big sticking point to me as to why I don't think I can ever use his music again if I wanted to.

I have a few questions about the new Gather edition. Was it created mainly to exclude all of Haas's music? Because the Gather edition before it is only a few years old.

Also, my opinion is that although the man may be a disgrace, his music is appealing to many including myself. Although some Catholic publishers will not print his music, other denominations aren't so quick to come out with new editions. His music will be around for a while. BTW, are we going to remove "Pescador De Hombres" from any new editions? Because Father Cesario Gabarain was credibly accused of sexual abuse.

The whole thing feels creepy to me. Should we remove George Washington from our currency because he was a slaveowner? Play no more Wagner because he was an anti-semite?

I'm sure this has been discussed before in these forums. I'm new, and apologize if I'm rehashing old material. I'm genuinely upset about this issue. I would appreciate other opinions.

Hi Bicinium. Are you David Haas, or one of his close friends? It's interesting that your first post on this forum is on this topic. There has been much discussion about it before.

If are you David Haas, or are the kind of friend that David Haas might listen to, I want to encourage you to do the following:
1. God loves you. What you did can't change that. God wants to forgive you and give you grace to transform your life and overcome your habits of sin. Jesus yearns to meet you in the Sacrament of confession, if you have not yet chosen to do this.
2. Give a real and genuine apology to the women you hurt. Not a form letter that you've been circulating since the 1980s that carefully avoids liability. Not a carefully worded statement that multiple lawyers have poured over. Really apologize for what you did, and accept whatever legal ramifications may come.
3. Accept the consequences for your actions. Based on what you did, many people will never be able to play your music again. As you know, many dioceses have banned your music, and publishers are removing your works from their hymnals and websites. As Catholics we believe in justice, and this is at least a small amount of justice for the sins that were committed. Personally, I can't imagine playing any of your songs knowing the life you were living while you were writing those words. It brings me great sorrow to know that you were ordering your life to sexually abusing women at the same time you wrote those beautiful words about God. To me, and to many others, I just can't play the music anymore knowing that. That the women you abused are unanimous in requesting that we not play your music anymore also is a major factor for me, it's very important as Catholics that we show solidarity with them and do whatever we can to help bring them healing.
4. Reform your life. Into Account believes that you are still trying to get in contact with young women. You need to get whatever professional assistance you need to that you can overcome your habits of sexually pursuing and abusing women you are not married to. I imagine your wife might appreciate you being faithful to her. You can do this. God's grace is sufficient for you in your weakness.

I chose to write this because it seems likely to me that this post is written by David Haas. My reasons for this are that there are several inconsistencies in the OP that I found to be very interesting:

I have a few questions about the new Gather edition. Was it created mainly to exclude all of Haas's music? Because the Gather edition before it is only a few years old.

The OP knows about the new Gather edition, but doesn't know about the purpose of the new Gather edition, despite GIA being very up front about what their purpose was. GIA was very clear that making a Haas free hymnal was an important part of this project.

BTW, are we going to remove "Pescador De Hombres" from any new editions? Because Father Cesario Gabarain was credibly accused of sexual abuse.

Only people who are very much insiders to the liturgical music community are aware of the accusations against Father Cesario Gabarain. Yet, the OP doesn't seem to be aware that OCP and GIA have decided to no longer publish his music.

Finally, it's really interesting to me that the OP decided to have their first post on this message board on this topic. A quick search would have found multiple other prominent threads to contribute to.

Bicinium, if I've misinterpreted your identity or intentions, I am deeply sorry. I'm doing my best. If you are not David Haas, you are welcome here. If you are David Haas, please go and get the help you need. You've hurt too many people for you to be able to productively be a member of the liturgical music community.

What hasn't happened - yet - is a transparent accounting of the colleagues and people who helped promote and publish his music while being aware of matters such as these. I would encourage David Haas to encourage those people to account for such transparently.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Marty Haugen and Fr. Michael Joncas toured the country with DH for multiple decades. Stayed at the same hotels. Performed at the same conferences. Were at the LA Religious Education Congress each year, where much of Haas' abuse occurred. It strikes me as highly implausible that those two new nothing until the news broke. Their response has been near radio silence.

GIA has done some public accounting, but I would appreciate more. So far they've admitted to having received 1 report of an "indiscretion" in the mid 2000s. Into Account's report suggests that President Alec Harris knew of at least one more incident a year or two before the news broke, because DH abused a high ranking employee. See:
http://www.ourstoriesuntold.com/i-am-mine-undoing-the-19-year-hold-that-david-haas-had-on-my-life-part-1-of-3/
http://www.ourstoriesuntold.com/i-am-mine-part-2/
http://www.ourstoriesuntold.com/i-am-mine-undoing-the-19-year-hold-that-david-haas-had-on-my-life-part-3-of-3/

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis appears to know much more than they've publicly admitted to, according to Into Account. Into Account uncovered a report of statutory rape of a minor, which the diocese claims to not have in their records. Same for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who is alleged to have systematically ignored the reports about what DH was doing at the LA Congresses.

Lori True was an integral part of enabling DH's abuse, and is still employed in ministry with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/st-catherines-report-sparks-calls-accountability-survivors-alleged-abuse-david

The former president of St. Catherine's university refused to cooperate with their internet investigation.

A long list of people need to face consequences that they have so far managed to avoid. It makes me sick.

Are you David Haas, or one of his close friends?

Please, @contemporaryworship92, do not get personal with people like this. You're making a wild speculation, just because someone happens to like Haas' music.

He actually had an account on this site under his own name and used it a few times in 2010 and 2011 to post comments.

Jeffrey,

Does "de jure" status make an abuse go away more quickly?

Indeed it does!

Does "de jure" status make an abuse go away more quickly?

No. But it might make would-be abusers go away more quickly.

Notitiae number 62 p110. It's in the preamble paragraph. My non-existent Italian does not allow me to judge how strong the sentiment is. The urging of bishops continues on the next page.

As Shakespeare said, a ban "more honored in the breach than in the observance" (in every sense that the term has been used).

Hello all, Bicinium here.

I deeply appreciate the compassion with which you answered my question. Yes, I'm sure there are multiple threads and posts on the issue. I even read some. I just wanted to share a very pointed opinion, and thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to answer.

I'm probably going to keep playing some of his works.

Contemporaryworship92, no, I am not David Haas or even a friend of his. I've never met the man. I am a church musician with an advanced degree in music who just happens to like some of his work. I do find your assumption a bit odd, although the advice to David Haas was sound -- too bad I am not DH. However, it's unlikely an abuser like DH would be able to receive your advice in a way that would help him.

I do agree, however, with the comment you posted that his enablers should be accountable.

And thank you, chonak, for your comment. I agree.

Thank you, MarkB. I agree that the publishing world is quite insular.

Usually done through the diocesan office of divine worship, not the bishop in the first person, as it were. By the late fall of 2020, 84 U.S. dioceses had done so, and I would imagine more have done so in the intervening time. And anyone programming his music in dioceses that haven't done so needs to be prepared to be confronted by an upset person in the pews for whom encountering Haas' music is, shall we say, triggering. None of the people I know in music ministries feel Haas' music is of such irreplaceable value as to make continuing programming it worth that. There are many other fish in the composer sea.

Unfortunately, my diocese seems not to have gotten the memo...I've heard songs of his in at least three parishes in the past few months. Sigh.

I have a few questions about the new Gather edition. Was it created mainly to exclude all of Haas's music? Because the Gather edition before it is only a few years old.

In response to the OP's query, I'm of the opinion that the publication dates of the Gather series of hymnals was the principal driving force for the Gather, 4th edition:

Gather Comprehensive - 1994
Gather Comprehensive II - 2004
Gather, 3rd edition - 2011
Gather, 4th edition - 2021

So, roughly a decade between editions.