Question:
Answer:
The sanctuary is the location of the altar in all churches and of the tabernacle in most. As such, it is considered sacred space and cannot be used in the manner of a simple public space.
The Code of Canon Law states:
In a sacred place only those things are to be permitted which serve to exercise or promote worship, piety and religion. Anything out of harmony with the holiness the place is forbidden. The ordinary may, however, for individual cases, permit other uses, provided they are not contrary to the sacred character of the place (CIC, can. 1210).
Practical considerations in many parishes, unfortunately, leave the sanctuary space as the only space large enough for certain events. But these events must be reasonably religious in nature. For example, a parish school choir Christmas concert is reasonably religious. On the other hand, the parish school’s talent show most likely is not, unless restricted to performances consistent with or not contrary to the sacred character of a church. Otherwise, the school gym or other parish venue would be appropriate.
Even when the use of the sacred space is permissible, that doesn’t mean anything goes. The altar and the space immediately around it need to be respected. Nothing should be placed upon the altar as if it were a mere table or display location. The Eucharist may need to be removed from the tabernacle to ensure that the sacred presence of the Lord is not disrespected by being ignored.
While the pastor of the parish can grant permission to use the sacred space for a religious purpose (e.g., religious music concert, retreat, religious drama), only the bishop may grant permission for sacred space to be used for a secular purpose (e.g., non-religious classical music concert). And the bishop cannot grant permission for anything that would be explicitly contrary to sacredness (e.g., a political rally).
In addition to canon law, the Church provides important norms to follow in Concert in Churches, a document which the Congregation for Divine Worship issued in 1987:
8. The principle that the use of the church must not offend the sacredness of the place determines the criteria by which the doors of a church may be opened to a concert of sacred or religious music, as also the concomitant exclusion of every other type of music. The most beautiful symphonic music, for example, is not in itself of religious character. The definition of sacred or religious music depends explicitly on the original intended use of the musical pieces or songs, and likewise on their content. It is not legitimate to provide for the execution in the church of music which is not of religious inspiration and which was composed with a view to performance in a certain precise secular context, irrespective of whether the music would be judged classical or contemporary, of high quality or of a popular nature. On the one hand, such performances would not respect the sacred character of the church, and on the other, would result in the music being performed in an unfitting context.
9. The playing of the organ or other musical performance, whether vocal or instrument, may “serve to promote piety or religion.” In particular they may . . .
9f. assist visitors and tourists to grasp more fully the sacred character of a church, by means of organ concerts at prearranged times. . . .
10. When the proposal is made that there should be a concert in a church, the Ordinary is to grant the permission per mudum actus [by a silent act]. This excludes permission for a series of concerts, for example in the case of a festival or cycle of concerts. . . .
10f. The Blessed Sacrament should be, as far as possible, reserved in a side chapel or in another safe and suitably adorned place (cf. C.I.C., can 938, par. 4).
The reservation of the Eucharist, e.g., in the parish rectory chapel, is all the more important if there are non-Catholics performing, i.e., people who wouldn’t understand—let alone, believe in—the sublimity of the Blessed Sacrament and thus express proper reverence toward our Eucharistic Lord in close proximity to him in the sanctuary tabernacle.