Posted on 07/18/2018 6:50:58 PM PDT by marshmallow
How to preserve architecture without disrespecting sacred grounds
VATICAN CITY (ChurchMilitant.com) - An international conference discussing the rash of closed churches and how to dispose of them is scheduled at the Vatican for November.
On Tuesday, Vatican officials announced they were planning a two-day conference to address the many parishes being shuttered around the world and sold off for profane use. They explained that the purpose of the conference is not "whether or when to dispose of or sell a church — the ultimate choice is that of the bishops and sometimes it is an obligatory choice — but rather to demonstrate the need for long-term planning involving the communities and the search for an understanding with the civil authorities."
In other words, the international meeting will determine matters like what a closed church building can and can't be used for.
Organizing the November conference are the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture, the Italian bishops' conference (IEC) and the Gregorian University in Rome.
In Europe especially, closed churches are re-used in shocking ways. For instance, St. Joseph Church in Arnhem, the Netherlands, is functioning now as an indoor skate park. Other closed churches have been turned into concert halls, nightclubs or gelato shops. Still, others lie abandoned, getting covered in graffiti and filled with litter.
(Excerpt) Read more at churchmilitant.com ...
Maybe conducting a little Catholic missionary work in Europe might keep out the skateboard parks? Seriously, how hard is this to figure out? A little less time spent on immigration issues and a little more following and preaching the Faith? I have been told repeatedly the European culture has changed-become secularized-causing the decline in the Faith. Well, it seems the secular European culture has had little impact on ardently faithful Muslim adherents who have migrated, continued to practice and spread their faith. Perhaps it is not the "ground" which is infertile but the Catholic hierarchy who are the sowers of the seeds of the faith where the problem lies?
I’d say your current Pope is hurting your brand.
You need to elect one that is inspiring...
> discussing the rash of closed churches and how to dispose of them <
Better they should try to figure out why the churches are closing in the first place.
I guess they could sell them to the Muslims.
We are about to start closing large numbers of them here.
My fear is that they will become mosques.
A large Protestant church a few miles from here was sold and became a mosque, and reportedly the Imam has very troubling ties to terror groups. Neighbors are VERY concerned about it.
Make the case that we should not sell to Muslims and I’m sure the Diocese will berate you as a bigoted hater.
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