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Catholic Castrated Singers

Is it true that centuries ago the Pope would not allow female choirs so they would castrate boys in order for them to reach high notes, the most famous of these being the Castrati singers?

Singers Castrated Catholic

Yes, it was true and in fact some singers for the Catholic Choirs have voluntarily gone through the castration process as recently as the 70's, to keep their pristine voices. Terrible sacrifice for art and/or Church, if you ask me.

Catholic Castrated Singers Catholicism Studies

Absolutely false.

While the Pope Sixtus V only allowed for a short time children who had this done there is no evidence or written proof to the church enforcing this on anyone.

This was actually more freely practiced in the aristocracy and arts of the time.

Singers Castrated Catholic

True or not I can see some people doing this on a voluntary basis. The fact that one pope allowed it can see others may not saying no to the practice but not openly supporting it either. I know some of the things the [Catholic] church has done can be very questionable when it comes to light.

Singers Castrated Catholic

Well it helps when the media of the [United States] is completely hostile to the Catholic church.

Catholic Castrated Singers

The media is not just against the catholic church but all of Christianity it seems. I would however like to know if this practice did continue on a volunteer basis and for how long.