I paid a visit to the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville. The website laughingly describes the renovations in the 80's as the start of a new "golden age" in the history of the church. While there is still much beauty to admire today in the cathedral (it avoided the fate of Milwaukee's St. John the Evangelist), I would hardly describe the end result of the renovations as a step up from its previous state. The Blessed Sacrament is not even reserved in the main body of the cathedral. One must pass through doors at the front of the church, which open to a curved hallway, which then leads to another set of doors, which then leads to the Blessed Sacrament chapel. How can an inspiration that resulted in the removal of Christ from the main body of the church to some back room be understood as a good thing?
Before the iconoclasm (too small a picture to fully appreciate)
After: the now gutted sanctuary. The high altar and communion rail are gone.
Vaulted ceiling with restored fresco of the Virgin Mary (how did that manage to escape the destruction?
Beautiful organ
The requisite trickling pool-baptismal font, parts of which were harvested from the old communion rail (gasp!)
Comfy red chairs that replaced the oak pews
For those interested, the doors leading, eventually, to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel
The sing along area
Such a disgusting, uncharitable attitude. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth is "disgusting" and "uncharitable" about what I wrote? This is a typical tactic used by those who simply don't have any arguments, just throw around harsh labels. I had forgotten what I even wrote here, so I had to revisit the post and, after reading it over again, I second every word. What I do think is disgusting is the assault on authentic beauty and tradition that took place in so many Catholic churches across the country over the past thirty years or so. I think it's "disgusting" that exquisite works of art were demolished and hacked to pieces in an effort to Protestantize our Church. Open your eyes.
ReplyDeleteSome advice: Don't be so sensitive. Deal with the points head on or don't enter the fray.