Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Pictures from the night in question. But first, a little history and Canon Law.


Holy Family Cathedral, circa 1950, Anchorage, Alaska.


Current configuration of Holy Family Cathedral, Anchorage, Alaska, before 1) the altar was moved back and replaced with conference tables and a jumbo-tron, 2) T.V. camera crews set up shop and 3) Our Lord was evicted from the tabernacle, so that we could hear what pro-abort Mayor Mark Begich had to say about the homeless (except, of course, those evicted by abortion from their first home in the womb). See infra.
Can. 1210 Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In an individual case, however, the ordinary can permit other uses which are not contrary to the holiness of the place.


The day after Easter, 2008: Close up of the live news jumbo-tron in front of the Archbishop's chair.


Our Lord removed from the tabernacle.



No bowing to the crucifix above, or to the altar shoved out of the way.


Conference tables displace the altar.

Sharing a joke or two.


More photo opps from the top of the stairs leading to the altar.


Vigil candle evicted along with Our Lord.


Clapping.


Pro-abort politician Mayor Marc Begich talking about the homeless in the sanctuary of a Catholic Church while Our Lord is evicted and no one says a word about the homeless aborted children evicted from their first home in their mother's womb.


Taking testimony from the witnesses, including one who complained about meeting in the church and the need for more separation of church and state.


A reading from the Gospel. Was that according to Mark?


Live interview at the foot of the steps to the altar.

The displaced altar and kneeler as a barricade to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
Barricaded entrance to the empty Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yikes!

Joe of St. Thérèse said...

Ahhhhh, horrible!

Dorrin MacBillion said...

Some thoughts from our friend the GIRM:

298. It is appropriate to have a fixed altar in every church, since it more clearly and permanently signifies Christ Jesus, the living stone (1 Pt 2:4; cf. Eph 2:20).

301. In keeping with the Church's traditional practice and the altar's symbolism, the table of a fixed altar is to be of stone and indeed of natural stone.

In addition to preventing debacles such as Marcus Begicus ex cathedra dicendo, the suggested permanence of the altar inclines the human mind and soul to the eternal; impermanence inclines it towards time or the world. An article in the Anchor recently expressed the need to adhere to liturgical rubrics in the Tridentine Rite; we would do well to adhere to those suggested in the Novus Ordo, too.

Here are links to the Anchor article:

http://www.catholicanchor.org/archive08/archive02-22-08.html

And the online GIRM:

http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter5.shtml#sect2

Anonymous said...

Thank you Dorrin Macbillion for the GOOD information.

Anonymous said...

This is all very interesting, but I suppose the photo posted from the 1950's offers some perspective.

After the current rector at the cathedral departs, our city will still be left with the problems of its uninspiring sanctuary and of an altar which is not fixed, as D.M. correctly points out. Looking at the wedding photo taken 60 years ago, we can see that, in this case, a restoration of the old may not be good enough. Something even better can be done!

Given the current economic situation, I doubt that a new cathedral will be built in the near future by the Archdiocese. Yet, the cathedral, even as it is, may be one of the few churches in Anchorage where we can hope for the creation of a more traditional sanctuary. Is there any hope for a new, more worthy, interior which will reflect the Catholic faith in Anchorage? Can the carpet be replaced by tile? Can the windows be replaced with stained glass? Can the tabernacle be restored? What else?

Most importantly, can the altar be constructed in such a way that it is permanent and allows celebration of Mass and Benediction from BOTH sides? We need to remain realistic on this point, even if there are those of us who believe that all Masses should be offered ad orientem.

What can be done? What can we do about this problem that if we do nothing will endure long after the meeting on the homeless is forgotten?

Joe of St. Thérèse said...

Well, the altar is right, it just needs a tabernacle there and it'd be perfect.

But on a more serious note, that cathedral would need an exorcism after that profane usage of the Cathedral.

Anonymous said...

For the latest on the implementation of Summorum Pontificum in the Anchorage Archdiocese:

http://summorumpontificumak.blogspot.com/