The use of music by the Catholic composer David Haas has been effectively banned in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on charges of sexual misconduct against the Catholic musician.
In an email sent to archdiocese staff on July 30, parishes, schools and ministries were asked to “Do not use music by the musician David Haas out of respect for those who have reported sexual misconduct by Mr. Haas. “
The email said the archdiocese is “investigating allegations of sexual misconduct described in recent media reports” involving Haas, who has been a popular performer and speaker at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress for several years Every year the Anaheim Convention Center attracts tens of thousands of attendees.
Since June, the 63-year-old Haas has been accused in several media reports of using his position as a professional and spiritual authority to sexually manipulate and abuse women. According to Into Account, a support group for abuse survivors, Haas allegedly “attacked several women using techniques identified by abuse prevention experts as caregiving to create conditions in which women feel obliged to do sexual favors in exchange for job opportunities.”
The Archdiocese’s Ministry of Victim Assistance, which receives reports of misconduct, had not received any sexual misconduct reports from Haas prior to the June 2020 allegations, the July 30 email said.
As part of the current investigation, the Archdiocese said it was considering “a previous complaint about inappropriate interaction and / or communication by Mr. Haas with adult women”.
Haas is already It is forbidden to perform in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles until the allegations against Haas are investigated. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the diocese where Haas lives, has also announced similar action against Haas and the use of his music in the face of allegations of “inappropriate behavior” towards women in the 1980s.
Haas is the composer of several well-known liturgical songs, including “You are Mine”, “We are Called” and “Blest are They”, which appear in the popular hymn book “Gather” by the Catholic music publisher GIA. GIA and OCP, another hymn book publisher, have ceased relations with Haas since the allegations first surfaced in June.
In its July 30 message, the Archdiocese stressed that it “stands against all sexual misconduct and is determined to assist victims of abuse survivors” and urged “anyone with information on the matter to report to the Office.” to be reimbursed to the Ministry of Victim Support (800) 355-2545 or [email protected]. ”
Additional coverage courtesy of the Catholic News Agency.
For more information on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ efforts to prevent and protect against abuse, please visit: protected.la-archdiocese.org.
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