Crystal Cathedral out of money

[Laetus]

I like to consider how Pope Benedict XVI had to personally approve the purchase of Christ Cathedral. Being a man well versed in the arts and given the prominent location of the new cathedral I'm sure he took a personal interest. This was certainly not something he delegated to underlings.

I suspect he already knew of the Christ Cathedral (Pope John Paul II had blessed an architectural model of it decades earlier) and Philip Johnson long before the illustrated dossier arrived from California. Knowing this makes the negative words from Stroik, Alderman and others all the more entertaining.

I truly hope they don't foul-up the remodel. That will be so critical. If they do it right I have no question that it will one day be granted minor basilica status by the Pontiff.

[Laetus]

Originally Posted by runningdude

Here are some unofficial sketches and ideas presented by an architect in "The Living Church", an Anglo-Catholic publication. It gives a fair representation of the challenges and limitations of converting the space from a preacher-orientated to a liturgically-orientated worship space. If nothing else, it can help inform our prayers for the bishops and architects involved in the project.

This article reeks of jealousy...

[runningdude]

Originally Posted by Laetus

This article reeks of jealousy...

[YoungTradCath]

Originally Posted by runningdude

[The Curt Jester]

Originally Posted by runningdude

My reaction. Seems like a very straightforward article in a matter-of-fact style.

[psr13]

Originally Posted by Dale_M

Thank you for this update. I am glad things are moving along, and wish the best for all persons involved in the upcoming changes.

St. Callistus seems to be a vibrant parish. It holds eight Masses on Sunday, plus two Masses on Saturday evening. Its community speaks Spanish, Vietnamese and English, so Masses on holy day are said in all three languages. I hope losing there church building will not disrupt their lives or faith.

Crystal Cathedral Ministries will likely have a harder time adjusting. They are moving to a smaller, less prestigious building. Recriminations haven't yet gone away, and will likely continue. I hope their faith in Christ is not lessened, and perhaps that some may choose to remain in the Crystal Cathedral when it becomes a Catholic cathedral.

And I hope the transformation of the Crystal Cathedral goes smoothly, with a minimum of unexpected costs and a minimum of disappointment.

The amount of Masses and languages are not uncommon in that area. It shouldn't be a problem.

[SonCatcher]

Originally Posted by Dale_M

Thank you for this update. I am glad things are moving along, and wish the best for all persons involved in the upcoming changes.

St. Callistus seems to be a vibrant parish. It holds eight Masses on Sunday, plus two Masses on Saturday evening. Its community speaks Spanish, Vietnamese and English, so Masses on holy day are said in all three languages. I hope losing there church building will not disrupt their lives or faith.

Crystal Cathedral Ministries will likely have a harder time adjusting. They are moving to a smaller, less prestigious building. Recriminations haven't yet gone away, and will likely continue. I hope their faith in Christ is not lessened, and perhaps that some may choose to remain in the Crystal Cathedral when it becomes a Catholic cathedral.

And I hope the transformation of the Crystal Cathedral goes smoothly, with a minimum of unexpected costs and a minimum of disappointment.

The cathedral will certainly host more religious services than at its peak under the Schullers. The only time it might move more "slowly" would be during the times when CCM used to have their Christmas and Easter performances. (Liturgies during those seasons will keep it from being stagnate, however)

I don't know where the article went, but I think at least one CCM long-time member (perhaps even a board member) expressed that he was considering continuing to worship at the Cathedral when it is finished. I do not know whether he planned to become Catholic.

[runningdude]

"People who live in glass houses should not cast the first stone"

[SonCatcher]

Originally Posted by runningdude

"People who live in glass houses should not cast the first stone"
Attachment 14153Attachment 14154

[SonCatcher]

Originally Posted by Cath4Romney

Why did we even buy that thing.

Here's what I said about buying a lightly-used, full-featured van at half the original price a few years ago:

"it was a crime of convenience"

The diocese of Orange needed a Cathedral, anyway.

All of their options pointed to a much more expensive and much smaller cathedral until the Crystal Cathedral went on the auction block. Suddenly, the bishop had a new option: buy this somewhat used building at half the cost of what they were planning and have even more adequate facilities for the growing diocese.

(I don't mean to suggest the Bishop in any way violated the 7th Commandment; just that he recognized a good opportunity when it arose and was ready to take pursue it)

[Exorcist]

Originally Posted by Cath4Romney

What was wrong with the Cathedral they already had.

And why would a Catholic bishop want his "Cathedra" (chair) in a church that wasn't even designed with Catholic traditions and symbolism in mind.

They don't really have a cathedral. They used St. Anne's parish as the de-facto cathedral. They were going to build a cathedral adjacent to St. Anne's on property they had purchased In the mean time they used St. Columban parish which holds under 1,500 people for major liturgies.

The needed a larger cathedral. For $57.5M they purchased 31 prime acres with 330,000 square feet of buildings. An awesome bargain.

The building as designed is neither Catholic nor Protestant. It will make a gorgeous cathedral.

[SonCatcher]

Originally Posted by Cath4Romney

I prefer my cathedrals to be designed Catholic, thank you very much

Even "converted" pagan Roman & Greek temples and mosques?

[Elizium23]

Originally Posted by SonCatcher

Even "converted" pagan Roman & Greek temples and mosques?

Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba

[SonCatcher]

Originally Posted by Elizium23

Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba

I see you got the reference.

[Kay Cee]

Here is an article that appeared in my newspaper this morning:

http://bismarcktribune.com/lifestyle...a4bcf887a.html

Someone in there is saying the transfer into a Catholic Church has "permanently desecrated, defamed, polluted and cursed" the church.

And they'll know we are Christians by our love.