Tijuana’s new archbishop has rejected the design of a cathedral that has been under construction since 2006.
In an undated press release posted on the new cathedral’s website, Archbishop Francisco Moreno Barrón said, among other things, “That in eagerness that it be modern, the project does not look like a Catholic church, much less a cathedral.”
The archbishop has asked architects interested in the cathedral’s re-design to submit their plans by mid-June. After the winning design is selected, Moreno said he hopes the new plan will be unveiled on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, for whom the cathedral is named.
In the press release, Archbishop Moreno enumerated other problems with the new cathedral: that the current plan was approved by only a few people without the opportunity for other persons or groups from the Church and society to participate, that priests in the archdiocese do not identify with the proposed cathedral and, because of that, have not promoted it, that a committee meant to consult on the cathedral’s design and help raise money for its construction, the Patronato Pro Construcción, has remained on the sidelines and has not met for years, that donations have been very limited for a project of its size, and that it is too much work and responsibility for just one priest to handle.
Ground was broken for the new cathedral in June 2006 in Tijuana’s Zona Río. The first phase included the construction of a columbarium and crypts, which were offered for sale in an effort to raise money for the structure. Moreno said the already-constructed portion will be incorporated into the new design.
The long planned replacement for Tijuana’s existing downtown cathedral was made a priority by Moreno’s predecessor, Archbishop Emeritus Rafael Romo Muñoz, when he arrived in Tijuana in 1996. Romo retired last year after turning 75, and Pope Francis named Moreno his successor. Moreno has been archbishop since August 2016.
Romo has defended his handling of the new cathedral project, pointing out that one land parcel needed for the building cost $1.25 million, and a second parcel cost another $600,000.
Moreno has named a new committee to handle details of the new cathedral, which is made up of 10 priests along with prominent business and political leaders in the city. The archbishop will head the committee.
Story from San Diego Reader.
Flattens our spirits, does not lift them.
When the Vietnam memorial was unveiled, many were more than appalled. They felt it was not an appropriate memorial. In my humble opinion, the simplicity of the memorial says it all. As they say ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’
Bravo, Su Excelencia. Es una lástima que tenemos pocos obispos aquí, en la California de los EEUU, con su visión! Que Dios le bendiga.
Strikes a likeness to the ‘Taj Mahony’ Cathedral in Los Angeles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Our_Lady_of_the_Angels_(Los_Angeles)
Good for Archbishop Moreno. Besides not looking like a church or cathedral, it seems it would take “miles” of walking or rolling (in a wheelchair) for the disabled or elderly to even get into the front door. Not warm and inviting looking at all.
The new Tijuana “cathedral” proposal doesn’t look like a Catholic Church…because…
Well, it’s just like…it’s just like….like, well, just look at the new bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, soon-to-be-bishop William Wack, in his rainbow prayer shawl and demonstrating his latest chasuble. No one is making this up. The new P. Francis-appointee doesn’t look like a Catholic bishop…because..well,..
https://angelqueen.org/2017/05/31/the-new-bishop-of-pensacola-tallahassee-florida-loves-screening-photos-also-with-lgbt-scientific/
The chasuble is not pink, it is ROSE. That color is used on two different Sundays of the year. What does a Catholic Bishop look like in your mind?
…and matching “rose” socks which he is gleefully showing off.
But Bob O. is silent on the rainbow prayer shawl: is that the vestment for ‘Happy’ Valentine’s Day?
Wack is the very model of a Modern Major Episcopal, in Novus Ordo World, for Bob One.
Sorry, Anon, I didn’t really notice the shawl. I guess it is the “rainbow.” But, so what? Is it wrong for a Priest to wear that? If so, tell us. Come on, you know the rose sox’s were a joke because of what… Rose Sunday. A whole bunch of us need to lighten up. It really OK for a Priest to be happy, have a good time and smile. Really, it is!
I would stay off that website. There is nothing pure and traditional about mocking any person, much less a priest or bishop. By their fruits you shall know them…
quizas Cal Catholic un grupo bilingue??
Regarding, “what does a Catholic church or cathedral look like…??? Before Vatican II, the Catholic Church had a very specific sacred design, for churches, which could be modified here and there– but the basics were always the same! It didn’t matter what era you lived in, either. The Order of Mass had to be definite, as well as rubrics for the Mass, sacred items used, clerical vestments, and etc.; the altar had to be exact, and the sacred design for the church, too! Many beautiful, awe-inspiring, medieval cathedrals took centuries to build, and were built by dedicated, devout Catholic locals, who were very proud of their Catholic Faith!
The Church Fathers of Vatican II changed the Mass, rubrics for Mass, priestly vestments, and many other things– but they never did come up with a definite, post-Vatican II standard sacred Catholic church design, for all to follow! Without clear leadership on all of these religious matters, it makes everything quite a confused mess! Nice that this Tijuana archbishop, and his priests, want to come up with an authentic, sacred Catholic cathedral design, regardless of how the plans are drawn up– and are seeking for a way to accomplish their goal! Too bad their original cathedral is no longer of use for them! May Our Lady of Guadalupe guide and bless them!
I agree! It does not look like a Catholic Church. So what? If the Bishop doesn’t like it, he is fully within his right to change the design and stop construction. I doesn’t look like the cathedrals of the middle ages or even the colonial period. It did look, however, like a building built in the 2000’s. But, hey, that’s the Bishop’s decision. Let’s see what they come up with.
Bob One agreeing with modernist garbage not matter, his god is global warming
I Am most certainly of the opinion that a priest daring to offer the Holy Sacrifice should be vested in black chasuble, purple velvet cope and breeches to match, hair-shirt, black cincture, gauntlets, maniple, collar under amice, purple stole, black stockings, black velvet shoes with strap across the instep, and black beretta.
He must also exhibit a phosphoric livid countenance at all moments as to project to all the serious nature of his ritual. If it be that he also have a ghoulish look about him, long black lank hair combed behind the ears, bushy black eyebrows and heavy black moustache as did Vlad the Impaler, this may also be efficacious as he stands visible and busied of sacred duties behind the holy rood screen.
And those…