David Haas

David Robert Haas (born 1957 in Bridgeport, Michigan), is an American author and composer of contemporary Catholic liturgical music.

For the hockey player, see David Haas (ice hockey).
David Haas in a concert at the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines

Career

Haas studied vocal music performance and conducting at Central Michigan University, and has a degree in theology and music from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In addition to serving in parish liturgical ministry in Michigan, Iowa, and Minnesota over the years, he also served as composer-in-residence at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul, Minnesota; and was also campus minister and artist-in-residence at Benilde-St. Margaret's in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he taught in the music and theology departments. From 1999 to 2017, Haas directed the program MUSIC MINISTRY ALIVE!, a five-day liturgical program for youth and adult leaders that met on the campus of St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.[1]

He has produced over forty-five original collections and recordings of liturgical music. He is also the author of over 20 books on the topics of liturgy, music ministry, spirituality, and religious education. His music is sung throughout the world and appears in hymnals of various Christian denominations, including Roman Catholic and Methodist, and has been translated into Spanish and French. Years ago, Haas was a leading voice in the liturgical and musical aspects of the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), active as a team member for the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, and as a composer creating ritual music for the RCIA rites.

Haas is also known for his early collaborations with Michael Joncas and Marty Haugen, and for many years the three of them were an important influence on liturgical music in the English-speaking world. They traveled together throughout the United States and beyond for many years, presenting concerts and workshops.[2] Haas presently continues traveling as a speaker, workshop leader, and concert performer alone, and often with his friend and colleague, Lori True. He formerly wrote a monthly column for Ministry and Liturgy magazine entitled, "Sung Prayer".

As of 2017, he worked at the preparatory school Benilde-St. Margaret's in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he was campus minister and artist-in-residence, and taught at its departments of music and theology.[2] From 2011 to 2018, Haas also worked at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he provided liturgical music for Mass, and occasionally used the school campus to host Taize prayer events.[3]

Haas lives in Eagan, Minnesota, where he is the director of the Emmaus Center for Music, Prayer and Ministry, and is active as a cantor at St. Cecilia's Parish in St. Paul.[2]

Allegations of sexual misconduct

On May 29, 2020, advocacy group Into Account sent a letter to Catholic organizations, accusing Haas of sexual misconduct with "nearly a dozen" victims.[4] This was subsequently reported by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and Catholic News Agency.[5][6] The letter also denied any knowledge of any criminal charges against Haas. Following publication of the letter, Into Account said that an additional 14 women approached them with allegations of sexual misconduct by Haas. Initially, Haas denied the allegations and denounced them as "false, reckless and offensive".[4] Then, on July 9, 2020, Haas issued an apology on his website saying "I have come to realize that I have caused great harm to a variety of people. I make no excuses for any harm that I may have caused. I take responsibility for my behavior and I am truly sorry."[7] As of August 10, 2020, a total of 38 women have disclosed allegations of sexual misconduct to Into Account.[8]

Responses

Publishers
  • On June 13, 2020, GIA Publications announced that it had terminated its relationship with Haas and was removing Haas's works from their publications.[9]
  • On June 15, 2020, Oregon Catholic Press announced that it was also removing Haas' songs from their website.[10][11]
  • On June 23, 2020, Mennonite Church USA announced it would be removing Haas' music from the upcoming edition of the Voices Together hymnal and replacing it with other songs.[12][13]

Religious organisations
  • On June 16, 2020 The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis confirmed that it had also received similar reports, and Haas had requested a letter of recommendation which the archdiocese refused.[14][4][6]
  • On June 30, 2020, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles stated that it has opened an investigation into these allegations, and that it "is also reviewing GIA Publications’ announcement that it is suspending its relationship with Mr. Haas as his sponsor and publisher". Haas was also prohibited from performing in the Archdiocese.[15] Also on June 30, 2020, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles asked all parishes, schools, and ministries to refrain from playing Haas' music.[16]
  • On July 9, 2020, The Crosier Fathers, who had previously awarded Haas their Outstanding Service in Ministry Award in 2004, also issued a statement expressing their empathy and condemning abusive behaviour.[17]
  • On July 20, 2020, the Diocese of Jefferson City announced that it had banned the use of Haas' music.[18]
  • On August 3, 2020, the Diocese of Sacramento announced that it had suspended the use of Haas' music.[19]
  • On August 7, 2020, the Archdiocese of Boston announced that it had suspended the use of Haas' music.[20][8]
  • On August 7, 2020 the Archdiocese of Anchorage and the Diocese of Juneau announced in a joint statement that they have suspended the use of Haas' music.[21]
  • On August 7, 2020 the Diocese of Baker announced that musicians "are to make every effort to avoid singing or playing" Haas' music.[22][23]
  • On August 12, 2020, the Diocese of Albany announced that it will no longer allow the use of Haas' music.[24]
  • The Archdiocese of St. Louis has suspended the use of Haas' music.[8][25]
  • The Diocese of Spokane has asked pastors to discontinue the use of Haas's music[26]

Personal life

Haas married fellow composer Jeanne Cotter in October 1988, after the relationship started when Cotter was 16 and Haas 23. Haas and Cotter divorced in March 1995.[27] Haas later remarried.

Awards and recognition
  • 1995: Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of St. Thomas (together with Michael Joncas and Marty Haugen)[28] — later rescinded in July 2020 due to sexual misconduct allegations[29]
  • 2003: Outstanding Professional Book Award from the Catholic Press Association[30]
  • 2004: Pastoral Musician of the Year from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians[31] — later rescinded in July 2020 due to sexual misconduct allegations [32]
  • 2004: Outstanding Service in Ministry Award from the Crosier Fathers[33]
  • 2014: Emmaus Award for Excellence in Catechesis from the National Catholic Education Association[30]
  • 2015: Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Portland[30][34]
  • 2017: Pax Christi Award from St. John's Abbey and St. John's University — later rescinded in August 2020 due to sexual misconduct allegations[35]
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References
  1. Kuruvilla, Carol (August 14, 2020). "Catholic Archdioceses Ban Music Penned By Composer Accused Of Sexual Misconduct". HuffPost.
  2. "David Robert Haas" (in German). Erzbistum Köln. 2017-12-07. Archived from the original on 2019-04-04.
  3. "Statement on Allegations Related to David Haas". Cretin-Derham Hall. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  4. Flynn, J. D. (June 16, 2020). "Catholic composer David Haas denies 'sexual battery' and coercion allegations". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  5. "SNAP Stands in Solidarity with Into Account and the Survivors of David Haas". snapnetwork.org. Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  6. Flynn, JD (June 14, 2020). "Catholic composer David Haas accused of 'sexual battery' and 'spiritual manipulation'". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  7. "David Haas Apology Statement". David Haas. 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  8. Fazio, Marie (August 10, 2020). "Catholic Churches Drop Hymns After Accusations Against Composer" – via NYTimes.com.
  9. https://www.giamusic.com/page-images/PR_Haas_June6_2020.pdf
  10. "Who Calls You by Name" – via www.ocp.org.
  11. "OCP". www.facebook.com.
  12. "Replacing the songs of David Haas". June 30, 2020.
  13. "Haas songs removed from Voices Together hymnal". June 23, 2020.
  14. "Statement Regarding David Haas". Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  15. "David Haas Statement (Archdiocese of LA)" (PDF).
  16. "Los Angeles Archdiocese: Do Not Sing David Haas Hymns". National Catholic Register.
  17. "Crosier Statement Regarding David Haas". crosier.org. Crosier Fathers and Brothers. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
  18. "20 July 2020 | Diocese of Jefferson City".
  19. https://www.scd.org/news/statement-regarding-david-haas?fbclid=IwAR3hPXTRjFcLDixgGH9-Ssq_2ZCwF88R1UAkU_DE3CjTo7dsYFqL_zAXn88
  20. "August 7, 2020 – Archdiocese of Boston Statement Regarding David Haas | Archdiocese of Boston". www.bostoncatholic.org.
  21. "Statement regarding allegations concerning Mr. David Haas". Archdiocese of Anchorage.
  22. "Bishop Liam Cary's Official Statements". Diocese of Baker.
  23. https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/21394/documents/2020/8/David%20Haas%20Statement-2.pdf
  24. "Diocese of Albany will no longer allow music by David Haas". Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.
  25. "COVID-19 Updates". Mary, Mother of the Church.
  26. "David Hass not permitted to perform or speak in the diocese; music to be discontinued". Catholic Diocese of Spokane.
  27. Cotter, Jeanne. "June 21, 2020 Facebook Post". Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  28. "Past Recipients | University of St. Thomas - Minnesota". alumni.stthomas.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  29. "St. Thomas Rescinds Alumni Award". University of St. Thomas. 2020-07-31. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  30. "History of Hymns: 'You Are Mine'". Discipleship Ministries. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  31. "Musician David Haas to lead workshop and retreat". www.wnycatholic.org. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  32. "Statement on Mr. David Haas" (PDF). npm.org. National Association of Pastoral Musicians. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  33. "David Haas Biography- GIA Publications". www.giamusic.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  34. "Honorary Degrees". up.edu. University of Portland. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018.
  35. "Pax Christi Award to David Haas rescinded". College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University.
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