Worship Times

Episcopal showdown in Maryland

With many Episcopal parishes breaking away to join the conservative Anglican Mission in America, Bishop Holmes asked for reassurances of unity, which were not given. The following month, the pastor was given 60 days to leave. He and nearly half the congregation stood their ground, retaining control of the buildings of the 303-year-old parish. The parish is now split, with those who support the diocese worshiping at an alternate site. Ecclesiastical and Maryland courts will eventually settle the conflict. At issue are the freedom to hire a pastor fitting a faith community’s desires, property ownership — institution or parish — recognition of authority, as well as the contentious issues that continue to generate friction between liberal and conservative Christians. (News material courtesy of the Washington Post.)

Cathedral renovations far and near

Memphis, Colorado Springs, San Antonio, Covington, St. Paul, Rochester and Los Angeles are either renovating, building anew or studying possible changes to their cathedrals. They would join the nearly 70 percent of American cathedrals renovated or built since 1980.

Los Angeles is the site of the largest project, a $160 million effort that includes a new 3,000-seat cathedral, 150-foot bell tower, office and conference center, two-and-one-half-acre plaza and underground parking. Years ago, people had successfully opposed the demolition of St. Vibiana Cathedral, citing its value as a historical and cultural landmark. The new cathedral was to have been constructed on the old site.

The Diocese of Covington expects little friction with its plan to expand the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. They have had a separate eucharistic chapel “from the beginning,” according to a diocesan official, and it will remain separate. However, opponents also get nervous about moving the altar closer to the people, one of the changes planned for this Kentucky church.

In St. Paul, Minnesota, most of the $35 million is being spent restoring the outside of the cathedral: An impressive 100,000- square-foot copper roof, the granite exterior walls and 42 miles of tuck-pointing mortar joints.

In Rochester they wish it were only miles of elbow grease ahead, but even before studies are completed in the upstate New York diocese, renovation opponents are already organizing and lining up legal help in Rome. Father Richard Vosko, hired as a consultant, has already led three informational meetings for the cathedral parish. Joan Workmaster, director of liturgy for the diocese, appreciates the support of her bishop, Matthew Clark. “It is important that the bishop is 100 percent involved and supportive,” she relates. “He attends every committee meeting and has been a wonderful support, encouraging civility in every discussion.” Most cathedral parishioners, though a bit nervous about looming controversy, are excited about the many possibilities ahead. Their parish church became the cathedral several decades ago, after the original downtown cathedral was dismantled.

Deacons near and far

Vocations of any kind are precious and few in mission lands. Granted, there still seem to be some aspects of the restored permanent diaconate to be worked out, but barring incompetence of individual deacons ordained, does it not seem appropriate that at least some of the sacraments can be provided in an impoverished and violence-ridden region of Mexico?

A document on the diaconate is forthcoming from the Vatican, according to theologians close to the curia. The International Theological Commission has been working on the study for several years. It will likely put to rest the possibility of ordaining women on the basis that women deacons did not function to assist the clergy, did not preach or did not perform other functions associated with male deacons. Father Manfred Hauke of the University of Augsburg published an article in the CDWS bulletin this past summer in which he concluded that feminists would not be satisfied with a restricted female diaconate designed on historical precedent. When considering that Catholics in the pews would be confused over women deacons, Hauke suggested the notion be dismissed. “In the church exists a feminine ministry that is much less problematic and much less contested than the diaconate: consecrated virginity,” he said.

Home altars

“Altars are as potent today as they were in the 19th century,” said Roman Gutierrez, an ethnic studies professor at University of California at San Diego. “Sacred objects have been used to facilitate communication with God and the saints and to transform an ordinary setting into a sacred space.” Proselytizers frown on such practices, but such devotions can be effective in a practical way. Museum neighborhood resident Isidro Garcia adds pictures of Guadalupe in his windows. “Other people respect us more if we have her picture,” he said. “Jehovah’s Witnesses know they don’t need to knock on our door.” (News material courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.)ML

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