Bishop gets earful on new Cathedral

Oakland Tribune ^ | 08 May 2004 | Peggy Stinnett

[Cicero]

Ah, that explains it. So I put the blame on the wrong bishop, then.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Some parishes have cut off all contact with the diocese.

Sounds like schism.

[MegaSilver]

Regarding the Temple to Materialism, I am appalled, but then we live in a mobile home and flamboyance always shocks us. I find myself secretly hoping that they are skimping on the earthquake reinforcements. They could save a lot of money by importing a plastic version of the Cathedral from China without diminishing the overall tawdriness of the presentation.

I don't feel building a Cathedral is a venture that warrants sparing any expense. We are, after all, called to give God our best; why not go all-out with the architecture dedicated to the worship of Him?

That said, we are also called upon to be good stewards of what God has entrusted us with, and the Cathedral as designed is a tacky waste of money. Those responsible ought to be ashamed to have such a deliberately and purposelessly ugly object consecrated unto God. I'm pretty sure they can build something MUCH nicer-looking with the same or less money.

[MegaSilver]

Such a waste of funds! There are so many parishes like yours and mine that could benefit from only 1% of the estimated cost of this construction, to turn out a lovely refurbished church. And one, that would be filled with dignity, reverence and total respect for the Holy Eucharist!

And all this time I was thinking there was no way anyone would pay me $137 million for taking a dump in the middle of a big city.

It's amazing what you learn every day...

[MegaSilver]

For those interested... some information on Cardinal Cummins, the man apparently responsible for this blasphemous piece of architecture:

http://www.stjosephsmen.com/brochures/cummins/Attachment00097855/Cummins25%20Years.pdf

At the end of this brochure, it says, "Beg the Holy Father to appoint a strong, orthodox, and holy bishop to replace John Cummins in the Diocese of Oakland. Tell the Holy Father and Cardinal Prefects of the abuse and heresy we suffer here and why they cannot risk appointing another renegade bishop." Apparently, that prayer has been answered... but Cummins' influence still lives on, unfortunately.

[MegaSilver]

For those interested... some information on Cardinal Cummins

ACK! Make that Bishop Cummins.

[MegaSilver]

By the way, you may also be interested in this book: Ugly As Sin: Why They Changed Our Churches from Sacred Places to Meeting Spaces and How We Can Change Them Back Again by Michael S. Rose.

[steve86]

I don't feel building a Cathedral is a venture that warrants sparing any expense.

Helping the poor is a venture that warrants sparing no expense.

Worship of God is an activity that can take place in a tent or under the open sky.

God already built his Cathedrals -- the Universe and the planets.

[MegaSilver]

Helping the poor is a venture that warrants sparing no expense.

Worship of God is an activity that can take place in a tent or under the open sky.

God already built his Cathedrals -- the Universe and the planets.

Yes, certainly. But God also gave us the gifts of creativity and artisticism. Why not make something beautiful to consecrate unto Him? And besides, a Cathedral can (and should) be used to serve the poor. That's not its PRIMARY purpose, but it is one of the incidental purposes.

[pbear8]

Just came back from Russian Men's Chorus concert.

Met Michael in February at Latin Mass conference in Monterey and own two of his books. Highly recommended!

Have a Blessed Sabbath Day.

[maryz]

This sounds like a very expensive tombstone for it.

This whole thing reminds me of an observation in Parkinson's Law (First law: "The amount of work expands to fill the time available.") It was in regard to companies, not churches, but he says that it's the overcrowded, messy offices that indicate a growing company; it's when they move into the sleek new office building, with huge executive offices, glass desk tops, etc., that you can figure the company is on a downward course. They don't have enough of their real work to do, so they concentrate on status symbols, etc.

[maryz]

So is this new Oakland cathedral:

That's a cathedral? It looks more like a nuclear plant.

[Diva]

Wow, no control... how can that be I wonder? I know Bishop Vigneron inherited a oretty bad situation. But then he left Detroit after doing a lot for the seminary there.

[Diva]

It may have been part of the agreement before Bishop Cummins would resign

Hmmm... so, its like this giant white albetros hanging around his neck, so to speak?

[Rebelbase]

"It looks like a pointier version of Darth Vader's head & helmet."

[ninenot]

If it's a Calatrava, it's likely to be damn near un-buildable.

Cal. designed the Milwaukee Art Museum addition; supposed to be about $100MM, and came in WAAAAAAYYYYYY over because he spec's stuff that's never been done, never been tested.

Knowing only that it's Calatrava, I'd pitch it and start again.

Too bad. Vigneron's a good guy.

[ninenot]

Aha!! This begins to add up.

[ninenot]

Calatrava's Milwaukee Art Museum is now featured on a national Toyota Motor Co. advertisement. It is really quite a beautiful structure.

It just busted budgets left and right to get it built, and God help us if a high wind comes up unexpectedly....

[ninenot]

Interesting. Cummins, one of the Leading Light Lefties, cuts a deal with the Vatican whereby he retains power over the project?

As Sink observes, this is a new twist on Canon Law.

By the way, that "in the round" interior pic---is that the tabernacle WAAAAAAYYYYYY back behind the Crucifix (is it really a crucifix?)

And, just for fun, where's the choir loft/organ?