King's College London

This paper provides a brief overview of the origins of ethno-liturgical compositions and the scope of this aesthetic of music in the church, especially stressing their link to the concept of acculturation of the Theology of Liberation. The paper then extends the discussion, pointing out what the musical-aesthetic ideas of this movement are, and why it is linked to the Theology of Liberation. The main point noted in this paper is concerned with the possible theological, pastoral and aesthetics reasons for its development and subsequent decline. Finally, the paper reflects on the Pop phenomenon and its influence on ecclesiology and liturgical music, leading to some conclusive points on the character of an acculturated liturgical music in a church increasingly marked by a Pop culture. The question posed by the paper is: What are the pastoral and musical consequences of this influence?