Catholics do need a bigger cathedral for the diocese.
However, I’m praying for the deal not to go through, too! The building, IMHO, is a monster that is completely neutral at best and ugly at worst, will have no space for traditional Catholic art and devotional items, and is basically just an auditorium for hearing a speech. It was designed to be a stage for a preacher, not to accomodate an altar for the mass.
The current bishop is a raving liberal who is about to retire and this was his parting gesture. There was considerable opposition to this deal in his diocese. It would also be possible to build a larger cathedral for less, and that’s another sound reason for opposition.
But it’s all about the bishop using his last chance to impose his AmChurch vision on the diocese.
Dominus vobiscum, y’all!
Yep, us mackerel snappin’ papists are gonna move right into the newly renamed St. Peter’s Crystal Catholic Church with our Friday fish fries ‘n’ bingo games, singing “Immaculate Mary” and “Hail Holy Queen”!
Sic gloria Deo!
;^)
Yes indeed. They would have to do quite a bit of sanctuary renovation to actually make it into a proper Catholic church -- neither the organ nor the choir belong behind the altar.
It would also be possible to build a larger cathedral for less
And then they could even end up with something that looks like a Catholic church ... !!
I thought that this purchase was very questionable until I saw what other diocese are investing in new cathedrals. The Diocese of Raleigh is planning to spend 75-90 million on a 2000 seat cathedral. Los Angeles spent 250 million on their 3000 seat cathedral.