Editor’s Note: The following message was sent to Bishop Kevin Vann on behalf of Pope Francis. It was sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and delivered by Apostolic Nuncio to the United States Archbishop Christophe Pierre.
To The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD, Bishop of Orange in California:
As you celebrate the dedication of Christ Cathedral, His Holiness Pope Francis sends warm greetings to you, your Auxiliary Bishops Timothy Freyer and Thomas Thanh Thai Nguyen, Bishop Emeritus Tod Brown, and all the priests, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Orange in California, as well as to all those gathered for this joyful event. He assures you of his spiritual closeness as he joins you in praising Almighty God for the abundant blessings which the Lord has bestowed upon the Diocese over the years. The Holy Father prays that the cathedral may serve as a tangible sign of our Lord Jesus Christ’s presence in your midst.
Full story at OC Catholic.
Diocese of Orange will dedicate Christ Cathedral today after a seven-year, $77-million renovation
“I would pray and hope that it (the Christ Cathedral) will build on the heritage we have and help bring new life and commitment and joy in the age we live and that through here the diocese will have a focal point of unity where God will be known and loved,” Bishop Kevin Vann of Orange told CNA.
But Tony Jennison, Vice President of Philanthropy for the Diocese of Orange, said the interior of the cathedral is now completely different.
“We took what was basically a used cathedral, that wasn’t a Catholic cathedral…it was really a television studio for his [Schuller’s] Hour of Power…and we turned it into a Catholic cathedral,” Jennison said. “It’s completely different other than the outside facade.”
Christ Cathedral will be open to the public every Sunday.
Full story at Catholic Herald.
You call that a “Catholic” space?
California has a history of beautiful Catholic architecture. This 77 million can’t touch the real thing.
We have been reduced to a cult of self-deception on many different levels. This one is a “concrete” example.
One word comes to mind and it is UGLY. Talk about plain and drab colors. Plus, they have covered the windows up with a fabric or something else that makes each window look like X was the winner of a tic tac toe game. $77 million worth of renovation work plus the $45 million or so for the purchase for this mess? Having attended services at the Crystal Cathedral when Rev. Schuler was pastor, it saddens me to see what they have done to his beautiful church.
If my memory serves me correctly, the Schulers used a lot of hanging plants and bouquets of flowers to give the church color as it does look somewhat like a hot house. I have a feeling a lot of money is going to be needed for floral arrangements and such. It will work out if there are enough people that keep donating for them and all the water needed.
for better or worse, Schuler’s church did not make the grade financially. Given that, what is the best use of the existing property? A wrecking ball and then a modern version of a California Mission?
We plan to visit some Sunday a few months after initial ‘kinks’ work themselves out. Opinions after seeing in person.
It looks bizarre. Are we now calling Catholic edifices “Catholic Spaces” What is that all about? It is not inspiring — it just makes me angry.
Where’s the tabernacle? Are you sure this is a Catholic church?
Reminds me of the Fortress of Solitude from Superman. And the altar is just a big gray slab. This cathedral will definitely remind no one of Notre Dame or St. Patrick’s.
How many Catholic schools have closed these past years for want of financial support? Where I once taught did.
I once heard a story about two sisters driving out of L.A. one weekend to visit their parents in Ventura. They hit the 101 traffic in downtown and the sister in the front passenger seat turned to the sister driving and asked “Why is there a Cross on top of that warehouse?”
The sister who was driving said “That’s not a warehouse, that’s the new L.A. Cathedral.”
It looks like they could have the same conversation driving on the 22 near Garden Grove.
Meanwhile, the SSPX is building a magnificent Church in St. Mary’s, KS for a paltry (by comparison) $30 million. I trust it will never be mistaken for a warehouse…
Looks like a stereotypical caricature of the OC. But Catholic? No. To paraphrase Ven. Fulton Sheen, a society’s philosophies are revealed in its art (incl architecture). And good, sound philosophy is the foundation of sound theology. I’m afraid this reveals bad theology at its core. Good art and architecture is essential to the Faith. In this case (as with so many modern churches): #FAIL
J,
That is a stunning Fulton Sheen quote. Do you have a specific source for it?
I watched the dedication ceremony on EWTN yesterday. It was magnificent. The building is awe-inspiring. The music, choir, organ, and orchestra, was great and uplifting. The altar and ambo, made of the same piece of marble are beautiful. The crowned crucifix over the altar is noteworthy. The chapel with the nine-foot-tall tabernacle is majestic. The liturgy was well done, although, had I been in the room, the incense might have been overwhelming. OC is the sixth-largest diocese in the country and deserves a cathedral of this magnitude. Is it gothic or romanesque? No, but neither is the 21st century. This building will bring people to the church. It preaches the Gospel without saying a word.
Be careful Bob One, or you might levitate from all the excitement. (Laughter.) In all fairness, it does have some beautiful spots in the building.
P.S. If you do start levitating, we can use you to put up all those hanging plants and floral arrangements to give the church more color.
Bob One, question- Why should Our Lord be reserved in a “Chapel” room? He should be reserved on the Altar!
Why would the tabernacle be on the altar? That is where the holy sacrifice of the Mass takes place. Look at the pictures. They will show you that the tabernacle is easily assessable to those who want to pray in the chapel. In the old days, they once had the tabernacle built into the back of the altar. But that was a long time ago, at least two or more generations.