The following comes from a May 12 Orange County Register article by Chris Haire:
A 9-foot-tall bronze tabernacle designed by a renowned German sculptor will eventually reside in the Christ Cathedral, once renovations are completed in late 2016.
For now, it is on exhibit in the Cultural Center on the 34-acre campus.
This tabernacle, boasting four large panels each depicting with enamel paint a scene from Jesus Christ’s life, was completed by Egino Weinert in West Germany in the 1970s.
“His images are readily accessible,” said Monseigneur Arthur Holquin, the Orange County diocese’s episcopal vicar for divine worship. “This tabernacle is
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, which purchased the late Rev. Robert H. Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral in 2012, bought the tabernacle, the bronze pillar it stands on, and two accompanying candelabras for an undisclosed amount.
Holy Family Cathedral in Orange and St. Vincent De Paul in Huntington Beach also have Weinert tabernacles.
“This one is much larger,” said Holquin, who followed Weinert’s career for years and collects the artist’s small, affordable bronze crosses. “And none that I’ve seen has the bronze pedestal.”
The five-sided pedestal has engravings that tell the major stories of the Gospels, from Jesus’ birth to his death and resurrection.
On Tuesday, the Most Rev. Kevin Vann, the bishop for Orange County, blessed the tabernacle.
“This shows how the body of Christ gave birth to art,” Vann said, adding the diocese is proud to take possession of “the work of an artist of international acclaim.”
The Weinert sculpture will sit inside a glass case in an exhibit describing the campus renovations until the cathedral is ready to open. That museum exhibit is open to the public, Monday through Saturday.
Let’s hope it ends up front and center, not hidden off to the side in a makeshift closet…
If I were in Orange County, I would contact the diocese to make sure it is. If I did not receive a “yes,” I would start a petition.
Joel and kristin please write to them and make known your noble suggestions and send quotes from saints and church in support of. God bless you. Lets also pray and fast.
They are essentially placing this tabernacle in a Protestant-inspired architecture. None of the drawings shown to date suggest that anything will change this much, with the Church, itself, focused on Protestant rituals — full emersion baptism and no central tabernacle — making the Crystal Cathedral what it always was, a place of worship for non-Catholic Christians.
Rev. Schuller was a good man, but a heretic nonetheless. The glass palace will stay a glass palace, a garish monstrosity suggesting nothing so much as the “cathedrals” in Oakland and Los Angeles.
Of course, many Catholics will like this place, because they know nothing else. In fact, when confronted by real Catholicism, many in California turn away, especially when sexual ethics are involved. These people are simply lost as are the clergy that lead them. This building is more gasoline thrown on the fire of Catholic modernity, distancing itself from its true nature and Tradition.
Please refer to the photos and video the diocese provided about what is being done to transform the building into a Catholic worship space. The Tabernacle is in a very prominent place, easily accessible to everyone who enters the church.
This is a modern day case of The Emperor Has No Clothes. Simply stand there and keep telling the dazed and confused sheep how magnificent something is and then before you know it they will all start chewing the same unappealing cud.
‘Christ Cathedral acquires prestigious Tabernacle.’
Modernist’s definition of “prestigious” = The sculptor and the unattractive contemporary work of art receive more far more honor and attention than the placement of the work of art.
Catherine, have you actually seen the artwork? I haven’t so I can’t make a judgement about it one way or the other. Is your criticism based on any real doctrinal issue, or do you just not like the style of art?
By the way, modern does not equate to modernist.
you tube father art holquinn winner tabernacles
Catherine, what requirement of the Church is not met in this tabernacle?
YFC & Anonymous,
You can view the video link below to see the Tabernacle. The artwork is not uplifting or appealing at all. I have never been to Christ Cathedral but I have seen another work of Egino Weinert at another parish in O.C. Quite frankly many parishioners have also commented on the unattractiveness of that tabernacle too. I never knew it was the same artist until I read CCD’s article.
Canon 938 §2 of The Code of Canon Law says the tabernacle is to be situated in some part of the church or oratory which is distinguished, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.
Given the starkness of the chapel depicted in the video, it’s clear that the design is meant to highlight the tabernacle, itself, but the tabernacle is not beautifully decorated.
continued for YFC & Anonymous,
Unworthy religious art turns away from what is real, transcendent, and beautiful and instead emphasizes the abstract, mundane, and ugly. Bad art is indicative of a crisis of faith. It reveals an inability to see God in his creation and an unwillingness to glorify Him. Bad art reflects a distorted view of the Incarnation and of the natural world and it fails to facilitate an authentic encounter with Christ for that reason.
The art of Enigo Weinert may appeal to some individual tastes, but the distorted facial and bodily features on the figures and stark scenery depicted on this tabernacle are not objectively beautiful, and the colors Weinert utilized are garish. Catholics should never allow the cultural expression of our faith to descend into such banality.
Catherine, someone’s rose is another person’s thorn! Neither is bad, just different.
“The tabernacle is “an example of the artwork of one of the most renowned 20th century liturgical artists,” says Monsignor Art Holquin, S.T.L., the Episcopal Vicar for Diving Worship for the Diocese of Orange. “And it’s utterly unique; there’s no other like it. (Thank goodness!!!) The fact that the very first artistic item that we acquired for the cathedral is the tabernacle is very providential. It’s really quite exciting.” –
Douay-Rheims Bible Hosea 4:6
My people have been silent, because they had no knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will reject thee, that thou shalt not do the office of priesthood to me: and thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.
” My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
because you have rejected knowledge,
I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.” RSV-CE.
Go to: https://www.google.com/search? Weinert+tabernacle+for+orange+county for larger pictures of the blessing of this wonderfully designed piece of art.
“A 9-foot-tall bronze tabernacle” —
“His images are readily accessible,” said Monseigneur Arthur Holquin, the Orange County diocese’s episcopal vicar for divine worship. “This tabernacle is”
By whom ? Sasquatch ?
I’m confused by the geometry of this tabernacle. At nine feet tall it is only one foot short of the height of a basket ball net. In simplest terms, why so tall?
I will readily admit my knowledge of liturgical art and architecture is minimal. I understand some feel the only proper fate for the Cathedral involves a wrecking ball and dumpster.
I suppose in the proper surroundings some will see view the tabernacle as a fine item of praise and glory to God. Others will see an early image of a spaceship ready for blastoff.
The tabernacle is in an additional chapel built connected to the church. It has 4 brightly colored bible stories…easily understood by all from children to the elderly. Each facet of the pillar has several bible stories easily understood as well.
The chapel is open to the church and the church is easily accessed from the chapel. It is open for adoration from 6am to 10pm so accessible to all!
It is not the Protestant building it used to be.