I was surprised recently, when I was at Holy Mass with my family, and our beloved Priest spoke to the assembly about a campaign by the Diocese of Laredo to restore San Agustin Cathedral at a cost of $11 million dollars. Most of us were in shock as we had never been informed or consulted about such a project, and here we were being asked to pay for it.
We were even more shocked when we saw the proposed changes. Many fellow parishioners, along with members of the Catholic Church from throughout the Diocese, and I have discussed the proposed changes. We do not see it as a restoration but as a renovation. We agree that the removal of many sacred art pieces; the removal of the Communion railing, which is a priceless treasure representing the history of the Catholic Church; the relocation of the tabernacle, and the replacement of the ambo show a total disregard for the sacred.
The Church/Sanctuary is the greatest teacher of our faith. It is in the beauty of the images, in which the mystery of the invisible God becomes visible. With our eyes we are able to imagine the order, the radiance, the color, and the light of heaven in the marble, stained glass, silk, and gold of our surroundings. Icons, statues, and murals of saints invite communication with our Creator.
God’s presence is mediated through the art and architecture. We are drawn to Him through them. I respectfully ask that the physical space be preserved, restored, and respected.
I also, encourage you to watch a video, “Saint John Cantius Restoring the Sacred,” on the restoration of a church in Chicago. Watching it might help you see my sentiments on appreciating and respecting the traditions that have been handed down to us for centuries.
In protest to the proposed plan, I would like to offer the following quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#907). “ In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess [lay people] have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to other Christian faithful with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence towards the pastors and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.”
The Second Vatican Council’s dogmatic constitution on the sacred liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, states that, for “centuries, she [the Church] has brought into existence a treasury of art which must be preserved with every care,” and that “placing sacred images in churches so they can be venerated by the faithful is to be maintained.”
I want to be clear that I am not against our sacred pastors, but I want to have my voice heard and my opinion count. I, as many of our faithful, have been suffering in silence for the past seventeen years. Viva Cristo Rey!
Peace in Christ.
