Vatican Makes Peace With Beatles? Context for the Comment attributed to the Vatican

A Beatles fan gives some context to accounts of "the Vatican's" praise of the band. As a devoted Catholic who also happens to be a life-long, enthusiastic fan of the Beatles´ music, I have to objectively put my Beatle-mania to the side and remind the secular press of the status of L´Osservatore Romano.

ROME, Italy (Catholic Online) - I read the news today—oh, boy. The Associated Press ran an article on April 12 titled "Vatican Makes Peace With Beatles After 40 Years." The AP story cited the weekend editions of "Vatican newspaper" L´Osservatore Romano, which paid tribute to the band on the 40th anniversary of their break-up. L´Osservatore Romano is quoted as saying "It´s true they took drugs; swept up by their success, they lived dissolute and uninhibited lives. They even said they were more famous than Jesus," referring to a comment made by John Lennon in 1966. "But, listening to their songs, all of this seems distant and meaningless," the paper continued. "Their beautiful melodies, which changed forever pop music and still gives us emotions, live on like precious jewels." The AP story also states that Giovanni Maria Vian, editor in chief of L´Osservatore Romano, said that at the time of Lennon´s controversial remark the paper "commented that in reality it wasn´t that scandalous, because the fascination with Jesus was so great that it attracted these new heroes of the time." Other news sources, including a New York Times blog, were quick to publish these comments, referring to L'Osservatore Romano as the "official Vatican newspaper," and attributing all comments in the articles simply to "the Vatican"—as if they were pronouncements from the Magisterium. As a devoted Catholic who also happens to be a life-long, enthusiastic fan of the Beatles´ music, I have to objectively put my Beatle-mania to the side and remind the secular press of the status of L´Osservatore Romano.

While it is published by the Vatican Press Office, not everything in the paper—including editorial comments—necessarily reflect the "official" opinion of the Catholic Church. Statements from the Holy Father and Magisterial documents carry authoritative weight. Articles such as these about the Beatles reflect the opinions only of the writers.

The Magisterium (or "the Vatican" as the media likes to simply name them) has not "officially" endorsed the Beatles or their music. From Catholic Online to the secular press: just a little help from your friends.

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James Penrice is the author of Living the Eucharist Through Sports and seven other books, and is a correspondent for Catholic Athletes for Christ and contributing writer for Catholic Online.

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