| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Churches in Europe | Isabel | Saturday, March 7, 2015 |
Question: A church is a house of worship . Due to lack of people attending the services ,churches in some places in Europe are closing down .What is most disturbing is the fact that this holy place of worship where GOD once resided is now taken over by restaurants having wine and dine facilities . it pains to see this( even think of this). Doesnt anyone have a say over this not even the vatican or the Pope for that matter |
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| Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD
Dear Isabel: It is always a sad event to see a parish Church closed, especially the old parish buildings in Europe. But, The particular diocese doesn't have the funds to keep up a parish Church that is not being attended. It is the Bishop who decides which parishes to close. When a parish Church is closed it is "decommissioned." All relics, sacred vessels, and the like are removed. Canon Law 1212 states, "Sacred places lose their dedication or blessing if they have been in great measure destroyed, or if they have been permanently made over to secular usage, whether by decree of the competent Ordinary or simply in fact." Thus, the parish Church is no longer a holy place when this happens. While a decommissioning ritual is not required, as I understand it, here is an example of such a ritual:
God Bless, |
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