Michael Jackson to set Pope's prayers to music -06/02/06

Discussions held in secret with singer Michael Jackson to put some of the prayers of Pope John Paul II to music have been made public after the singer fled members of the press who had got wind of the project.

24 religious prayers and chants written by the Pontiff who died last April, are reportedly to be set to music.

Yesterday, Father Giuseppe Moscati, of the Millennium Music Society, which specialises in church music and organises musical events at the Vatican, reportedly confirmed the details.

Fr Moscati said: "We have the rights for the 24 prayers written by Pope John Paul.

"We had hoped the fact that we have been in contact with Michael Jackson would remain a secret. But sadly it has leaked out ahead of time. We are in discussions and trying to sort it out."

Fr Moscati dismissed Jackson's controversial past and insisted it was no barrier to him working with the Catholic Church. The priest said: "He was cleared and found not guilty by a jury.

"Michael Jackson is very interested in this project - we shall see what happens."

Last night it emerged that Jackson had secretly flown to Venice to sign a contract. But as news of his arrival leaked he fled the city and was thought to be on his way back to the United States.

He had arrived in Venice with his three children, but changed his plans after learning that photographers and reporters were waiting for him.

A source in Venice said: "We were all ready to put the deal to Michael Jackson but he was scared off when the news leaked out. As soon as he knew everyone was waiting for him and the project had been found out he disappeared. We don't know where he is now."

Last week he was seen in Bahrain, where he has also been spending time away from the media, dressed in full black Islamic robes and headgear as he tried to elude photographers.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Ekklesia

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk...kson.shtml
[Edited 2/6/06 4:48am]

Yeah, right.

But will he release his charity single first....?

ekklesia, National Enquirer... same diff.

MartyMcFly said:

yeah, what's up with the charity single? i've been away for a
week but i suppose it hasn't been released yet, has it

This news has been around for a while now, but this is the first time an English-language source has reported this news.

will he be wearing one of his new black burkas in the video?

wtf?

alrigthy then....

Is this something people are supposed to want to buy?

Yeah, MJ and the Catholic church were introduced my their mutual friend, Child Molestation.

Axchi696 said:

nobody said anything about releasing it. he's just going to record it and put it on a shelf next to his charity single.

I´ll believe it when I HEAR it.

What is this? Irony smacking Innuendo on its cute bubbled ass? A wink towards an endless parade of alterboys drunk on Jesus Juice? Or a playful practical joke on the late & great JP2 as some gay Bishop puts this together and is all like "Suckas! Now you'll reckon with the Millennium Music Society! or Next is a Tribute to the Village People with the Tabornacle Choirboys."

dag said:

Is that a veiled threat to MJ just daring him to release a song?

I'd put this near the top of the list of "things we'll never see"! I thought he was converting to Islam?!

"...and was thought to be on his way back to the United States." Why would he do that, he don't live there no more!


In general...is this supposed to be some kind of sick joke? An institution that just went through a big scandal over child molestation, is going to team up with a pop star who was recently on trial for child molestation?!?
[Edited 2/6/06 16:45pm]

i can't wait for the remixes....

IstenSzek said:

A month ago, he was supposedly putting "the finishing touches" on it...but no update since then.
http://www.mjnewsonline.c...-on-track/

Statement From Raymone Bain

-----

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Raymone K. Bain

February 6, 2006





MICHAEL JACKSON NOT IN DISCUSSIONS REGARDING
POPE JOHN PAUL II'S PRAYERS



Washington, D.C. ….. Contrary to published reports in Italy, and the United

States, Michael Jackson has not participated in any discussions with the

Vatican, or Edizioni Musicali Terzo Millennio, an Italian music label specializing

in religious songs, to record music to Pope John Paul II’s prayers.



None of Mr. Jackson’s authorized representatives have contacted

either the Vatican, or Edizioni Musicali Terzo Millennio, regarding this

proposed project.



Michael Jackson is unaware of this project, and news reports stating

otherwise are completely erroneous.

www.mjnewsonline.com

NightLight said:

OK, but...is he aware of the Katrina single project?!? Maybe someone should remind him!

theVelvetRoper said:

WOW!!! What else can one say?

theVelvetRoper said:

*DEAD*

Has anyone else noticed the similarities?