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David Haas

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

David Robert Haas (born 1957 in Bridgeport, Michigan) is an American author and composer of contemporary Catholic liturgical music. In 2020, dozens of women accused him of sexual misconduct spanning several decades, and he issued a public apology for harmful behavior.[1]

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.[2]

He has produced over 45 original collections and recordings of liturgical music. He is 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. Among his most widely known hymns are "Blest Are They", "We Are Called", "Now We Remain", and "You Are Mine".[3] In the 1980s and 1990s, 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 for the RCIA.[4][5]

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.[6] Until recently, Haas continued 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".

In addition to serving in parish liturgical ministry in Michigan, Iowa, and Minnesota over the years, he served as composer-in-residence at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul, Minnesota. 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.[7] As of 2017, he worked at the preparatory school Benilde-St. Margaret's in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he was campus minister, artist-in-residence, and a teacher of music and theology.[6] 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 hosted Taize prayer events.[8]

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.[6]

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.[9] This was subsequently reported by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and Catholic News Agency.[10][11] The letter denied knowledge of any criminal charges against Haas. Following publication of the letter, an additional 14 women approached Into Account with allegations of sexual misconduct by Haas. Initially, he denied the allegations and denounced them as "false, reckless and offensive".[9] Then, on July 9, 2020, Haas issued an apology on his website, announcing that he was beginning "professional intervention and treatment" and 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."[12] As of October 1, 2020, a total of 44 women contacted Into Account with allegations of Haas's sexual misconduct spanning several decades,[13] and a lawsuit further alleged that his Music Ministry Alive program shielded a suspended priest who had been credibly accused of child sexual abuse and prohibited from contact with minors.[14]

Responses

Publishers

  • On June 13, 2020, GIA Publications announced that it had terminated its relationship with Haas and was removing his works from its publications.[15]
  • On June 15, 2020, Oregon Catholic Press announced that it was removing Haas's songs from its website.[16][17]
  • On June 23, 2020, Mennonite Church USA announced it would be removing Haas's music from the upcoming edition of the Voices Together hymnal and replacing it with other songs.[18][19]

Religious organizations

  • On June 14, 2020, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis confirmed that it had received similar complaints against Haas in 1987 and 2018 (which it then required him to disclose to prospective archdiocesan employers) and that he had requested a letter of recommendation (which the archdiocese refused).[11][20] On July 8, the archdiocese further announced that its events would no longer allow Haas's music or presentations, and encouraged diocesan institutions "to consider the sensitivities involved with using Haas' music in liturgies or other parish or school events, and to take appropriate steps to fully support those who have been harmed by sexual assault or abuse."[21]
  • On June 30, 2020, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles stated that it was opening an investigation into the 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 prohibited from performing in the Archdiocese,[22] and on July 30 the Archdiocese asked all its parishes, schools, and ministries to refrain from using his music.[23]
  • On June 30, 2020, the Diocese of Venice in Florida stated that it would be inappropriate to continue using Haas's music at Mass.[24]
  • On July 9, 2020, the Crosier Fathers, who had previously awarded Haas their Outstanding Service in Ministry Award in 2004, issued a statement condemning abusive behavior and expressing empathy for survivors.[25]
  • On July 24, 2020, the Liturgical Composers Forum suspended Haas's membership and returned his financial contributions to As Music Heals.[26]
  • In July–October 2020, at least 35 American Catholic dioceses announced that they were urging or imposing a suspension of Haas's music, out of concern for abuse victims.[13][27]
  • On August 21, 2020, Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church requested that congregations not perform Haas's music, pending an investigation and possible court proceedings.[28]

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.[29]

Awards and recognition

References

  1. ^ Fazio, Marie (August 10, 2020). "Catholic Churches Drop Hymns After Accusations Against Composer". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Haas, David (2018). I Will Bring You Home. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, Inc. p. 411–413. ISBN 978-1-62277-284-1.
  3. ^ Macalintal, Diana (June 1, 2018). "Want to compose new music for Mass? Learn from David Haas's story". America Magazine. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  4. ^ "David Haas Biography". St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Las Vegas. January 19, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  5. ^ "North American Forum on the Catechumenate Records". University of Notre Dame Archives. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "David Robert Haas" (in German). Erzbistum Köln. 2017-12-07. Archived from the original on 2019-04-04.
  7. ^ Kuruvilla, Carol (August 14, 2020). "Catholic Archdioceses Ban Music Penned By Composer Accused Of Sexual Misconduct". HuffPost.
  8. ^ "Statement on Allegations Related to David Haas". Cretin-Derham Hall. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Flynn, JD (June 16, 2020). "Catholic composer David Haas denies 'sexual battery' and coercion allegations". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "SNAP Stands in Solidarity with Into Account and the Survivors of David Haas". Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Flynn, JD (June 14, 2020). "Catholic composer David Haas accused of 'sexual battery' and 'spiritual manipulation'". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  12. ^ "David Haas Apology Statement". David Haas. July 9, 2020. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Vodvarka, Sophie (October 6, 2020). "New report details 44 accounts of alleged abuse by David Haas". National Catholic Reporter.
  14. ^ Hopfensperger, Jean (September 9, 2020). "Priest accused of child sex abuse was allowed at Minnesota Catholic music camp". Star Tribune.
  15. ^ "Press Release" (PDF). GIA Publications. June 15, 2020.
  16. ^ "Who Calls You by Name". Oregon Catholic Press.
  17. ^ "We recently received notice of sexual misconduct allegations". Oregon Catholic Press. June 15, 2020.
  18. ^ "Replacing the songs of David Haas". June 30, 2020.
  19. ^ "Haas songs removed from Voices Together hymnal". June 23, 2020.
  20. ^ O'Malley, Tim (June 16, 2020). "Statement Regarding David Haas". Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  21. ^ O'Malley, Tim (July 8, 2020). "Additional Statement Regarding David Haas". Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  22. ^ "David Haas Statement" (PDF). Archdiocese of Los Angeles. June 30, 2020.
  23. ^ "Los Angeles Archdiocese: Do Not Sing David Haas Hymns". National Catholic Register. Catholic News Agency. July 31, 2020.
  24. ^ "Catholic music publisher vows investigation into Haas as allegations mount". National Catholic Reporter. July 27, 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Crosier Statement Regarding David Haas". Crosier Fathers and Brothers. July 9, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  26. ^ "Statement from the Liturgical Composers Forum Board of Directors Regarding David Haas", July 24, 2020.
  27. ^ Statements from American Catholic dioceses, July–October 2020:
  28. ^ "Discipleship Ministries Statement Regarding Hymnwriter David Haas". United Methodist Church. August 21, 2020.
  29. ^ Cotter, Jeanne. "June 21, 2020 Facebook Post". Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  30. ^ "Past Recipients". University of St. Thomas, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  31. ^ "St. Thomas Rescinds Alumni Award". University of St. Thomas. 2020-07-31. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  32. ^ a b "History of Hymns: 'You Are Mine'". Discipleship Ministries. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  33. ^ "Statement on Mr. David Haas" (PDF). National Association of Pastoral Musicians. July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  34. ^ "University of Portland rescinds David Haas' degree". catholicsentinel.org.
  35. ^ "Pax Christi Award to David Haas rescinded". College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University.
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