reorganisation and destruction of irish catholic churches
- This topic has 7,926 replies, 103 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 5 months ago by
.
- Posts
Following on the opportunity of seeing Westminster Cathedral liturgically operate as architecturally intended, we are now afforded the even more unexpected opportunity of seeing Notre Dame de Paris liturgically operate as it was intended after the restoration of Viollet-le-Duc. Here are some shots of the Mass celebrated at the High Altar of Notre Dame (which must not have been used for at least 40 years) yesterday evening, 17 June 2008. The Mass was of course celebrated in the Tridentine Rite.
And here we have an interesting study of the brutality with which the the steps of the modern extension to the sanctuary has been carried out. Just compare those dreadfully “square” or “carré” steps with the rounded steps of the High Altar as left by Viollet-le-Duc. Of course, the architect who put those awfullooking things there not only lacked a certain aesthetic sense but he also was unaware of the advice given by liturgists (who knew their stff) that steps should always be rounded -especially at the corners – so that those who had to use them liturgically did not bang their ankles against them!
Here is something of the tapestries of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Tournai which date from 1402.
http://www.cathedrale-tournai.be/cathedraletournai/fr/la%2btapisserie%2bd’arras.html
And an example of the tapistries of the Life of St’Etienne originally from Auxerre:
browsing flickr came across this image of the last mass at The Franciscan Church in Limerick recently. A beautiful church now closed..the second such closure in the city
and one of it empty
and externally…
@ake wrote:
a tragic shame but at least it’s not being turned into a leisure centre
What is happening with it?
As far as i know its becoming part of Mary Immaculate college for the Theolgy dept..also heard its main function would be as a library
Why cannot Mary Immaculate lease the churhc out to an association of congregation members and keep it going as a church? Surely, Mary I cannot have that many books?
Not sure to be honest but the Franciscans are giving it to them, as they no longer will have a presence in the city (despite being here since 1270). Lack of vocations and smaller attendances quoted…as far as I know. It is however a beautiful building.
, The Redmptorists is my favourite church in Limerick. These images don’t do it justice but its stunning inside…Some of the stained glass is unreal..now getting apartment blocks on its grounds…Heavens (as it were), what a huge thread!
I haven’t read all 180 pages, so I’m not sure if this has been discussed, but one of the horrors is the way the delicious frilly white marble altars are being booted out.
In Arbour Hill military chapel there was a particularly lovely one, which has been torn out by the roots a couple of years ago and replaced by a brutalist wall-safe in granite.
Part of the solution in a church as big as the Franciscan in Limerick would be to confine the library use to the nave (which would be very appropriate for it) and screen off (sensitively) the sanctuary area and the side chapels as a ‘worship space’ (or whatever the contemporary trendy term is). This would preserve the fabric of the building (any changes being ‘reversible’) and maintain at least part of it in religious use. Not perfect, but a good compromise.
@Tighin wrote:
Heavens (as it were), what a huge thread!
I haven’t read all 180 pages, so I’m not sure if this has been discussed, but one of the horrors is the way the delicious frilly white marble altars are being booted out.
In Arbour Hill military chapel there was a particularly lovely one, which has been torn out by the roots a couple of years ago and replaced by a brutalist wall-safe in granite.
Yes, Tighin, please furnish us with some exhibits of the current horrors. If possible, would you be able to provide a set of “before” and “after” images? We are grateful for whatever you can provide.
Must agree with johnglas regarding Mary Immaculate’s proposed use of the Franciscan Church, Limerick, as a library. A shame that the beautiful images in the quire will not be seen, unless, of course, the temporary wall sealing off the sanctuary from the nave goes only so high in order for the apsidal images to be seen by library patrons and staff. Perhaps a form of inspiration in the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness.
eheu!
Hmm, bit difficult. I’m not a soldier, but go to a ceremony in Arbour Hill once a year.
Apparently – I find when searching online – it’s also the chapel for Arbour Hill Prison. Maybe this is the reason for the wall safe; perhaps it makes some of the prisoners feel at home.
The windows are by the Harry Clarke Studio, I read. Wonder what they’ll replace those with?
@Rhabanus wrote:
Must agree with johnglas regarding Mary Immaculate’s proposed use of the Franciscan Church, Limerick, as a library. A shame that the beautiful images in the quire will not be seen, unless, of course, the temporary wall sealing off the sanctuary from the nave goes only so high in order for the apsidal images to be seen by library patrons and staff. Perhaps a form of inspiration in the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness.
eheu!
There are still very few details on what way this will work. There is a more buildings attached to the Church(accomodation etc) which I think the college are also getting so what will happen the Church building itself is not 100% clear yet.. It will be very interesting to see what way it is all handled but we shouldnt jump the gun just yet on the affects it will have..
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
