reorganisation and destruction of irish catholic churches

Back tot he Bonafatius Keppelle in the seminary of Mainz (Germany).

Here we have the official guff-bites as published in the Liturgisches Jahrbuch der liturgischen Institutes der deutschen Bischofe – a publication (and institute) well passed their sell-by date. The architect, Johannes Kraemer, explains what he was about and one is left with the suspicion that he must be Mainz’s answer to Richard “I should have been a LIturgist” Hurley:

PS: I am rather surprised to find the seminary rector talking about “Konzentration”. I thought we had had enough of that in Germany…..

Raumkonzept der Orientierten Versammlung erstmals im Bistum Mainz umgesetzt
Mainz. Der Mainzer Bischof, Kardinal Karl Lehmann, hat beim Eröffnungsgottesdienst für das Wintersemester 2008/2009 am Sonntagabend, 19. Oktober, den Altar der renovierten Bonifatius-Kapelle des Mainzer Priesterseminars geweiht. Die Kapelle ist der erste Kirchenraum im Bistum Mainz, bei dem das Raumkonzept der so genannten Orientierten Versammlung umgesetzt wird. Entwickelt wurde das Konzept der Orientierten Versammlung von Baudirektor Johannes Krämer, Dezernent für Bau- und Kunstwesen im Bischöflichen Ordinariat.

Mainz, 19. Oktober 2008: Bei der Altarweihe entzündete Kardinal Karl Lehmann Weihrauch auf dem Altar.
© Bistum Mainz / Blum
Vollbild
Galerie

Der Regens des Mainzer Priesterseminars, Dr. Udo Bentz, und Subregens Martin Berker zeigten sich sehr zufrieden mit der Neugestaltung der Bonifatius-Kapelle, mit der der regelmäßig genutzte Gottesdienstraum eine feste Einrichtung erhalte. In seiner Ansprache beim anschließenden Abendessen bezeichnete Bentz die Neugestaltung als „große Chance” für das Priesterseminar. „Ich freue mich über den Purismus, die Ruhe und Sammlung und die Konzentration auf das Wesentlich in diesem Raum.” Er wies darauf hin, dass bei der Planung der Kapelle auch die Seminaristen ihre Ideen eingebracht hätten. „Es war ein schöner Prozess, dass alle an der Gestaltung beteiligt waren.” Der Regens dankte allen, die bei der Umsetzung des Projektes mitgeholfen haben.

Aus der alten Bonifatius-Kapelle sind nach der umfassenden Renovierung das Kreuz und die Bonifatius-Statue erhalten geblieben. Die Kapelle wird in der nächsten Zeit noch eine Mariendarstellung und eine Orgel erhalten. Neben der Augustinerkirche, dem Oratorium, das vor allem zur Eucharistischen Anbetung genutzt werde, und der Kapelle der Schwestern sei die Bonifatius-Kapelle als vierter Gottesdienstraum mit seiner besonderen Konzeption „eine gute Ergänzung” für das Haus, in dem auch die anderen pastoralen Berufe zur Ausbildung zusammenkommen, sagte Subregens Berker.

Die neugestaltete Bonifatius-Kapelle
Ambo und Altar, die von einem durchgängigen Metallband aus Stahl gebildet werden, sind eine Arbeit des Bildhauers Hans Rams aus Niederbreitbach. Ausgefüllt sind Altar und Ambo mit Teilen einer rund 250 Jahre alten Eiche aus Thüringen, die auf die von Bonifatius gefällte Donareiche und damit auf das Patronat der Kapelle Bezug nehmen. Die Gestaltung der abstrakt weißen Wand mit Glanzlack und Strukturputz an der offenen Seite der Kapelle hat der Maler Eberhard Münch aus Biebrich übernommen.

Die hufeisenförmige Kirchenbank wurde von der Schreinerei Hermann Keller in Mainz angefertigt. Die Beleuchtung stammt von der Firma Schönwandt aus Nordeck. Die Malerarbeiten haben Mitarbeiter der Mainzer Dombauhütte übernommen. Die Bauleitung des Projektes lag bei Dipl.-Ing. Michael Helwig vom Dezernat Bau- und Kunstwesen. Musikalisch gestaltet wurde die Altarweihe von Mechthild Bitsch-Molitor an der Orgel und einer Schola des Mainzer Priesterseminars.

Stichwort: Orientierte Versammlung
Die Orientierte Versammlung ist ein Raumkonzept für Kirchenbauten, das durch seine Anordnung der liturgischen Orte die volle, bewusste und tätige Teilnahme (actuosa participatio) unterstützen will, wie sie vom Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil (1962-1965) gefordert wird. Hauptmerkmal der Orientierten Versammlung ist eine Mittelachse, auf der sich Altar, Ambo (Lesepult) und Priestersitz befinden. Um diese Mittelachse herum versammelt sich die Gemeinde. Der Ambo steht dabei an der offenen Seite der Gemeinde gegenüber; der Altar steht in der Mitte der Versammlung. Der Priester richtet sich also bei den Gebeten am Altar zusammen mit der Gemeinde zur offenen Seite des Raumes, in der Regel nach Osten und das Kreuz aus. Bei Lesung und Predigt am Ambo stehen Lektor bzw. Priester der Gemeinde gegenüber.

To-day, 17 December, the Liturgy begins to use the Antiphonae Majores, or the Great Antiphons, in the final seven days of Advent. The Antiphons, which mention a scriptural title attributed to the Christ child, have been in use since at least the time of Boethius and are used in the Offices of Vespers, immediately before the singing of the Magnificat.

Now, since our Irish liturgical “experts” do not seem to know much -or anything – about them, it would not perhaps be a bad idea to put up excerpts of all of the seven Antiphons in the run up to Christmas.

The first one is called “O Sapientia”, or “O Wisdom”. Here is the Latin text:

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,
attingens a fine usque ad finem,
fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:
veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

and the English translation:

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

The test derives from the vulgate translation of the Bible, and the Prophet Isaiah 11:2-3.

And here it is sung by the English Dominicans:

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=S6zaiZxJIpU&feature=PlayList&p=34D4E38FC957CA1D&index=0

And for 19 December the Antiphon is “O Radix Jesse” – O Root of Jesse.

The Latin text:

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

and the English translation:

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

And the English Dominicans:

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=VRzOsCF6gSw&feature=PlayList&p=34D4E38FC957CA1D&index=2

And below, the genealogy of Christ from the Patriarch Jesse, to King David, to Our Lady, fulfilling the promise that Christ would be born of the House and line of David:

And for 21 December, the Antiphon is “O Oriens” – O Morning Star.

The Latin

O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

and the the English translation:

O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

The English Dominicans:

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=HAUzuw1l-7U&feature=PlayList&p=34D4E38FC957CA1D&index=4

Below, the Annunciation by the Master of Brunswick.

And the last of the Major Antiphons used on 23 December: “O Emmanuel”

The Latin

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,
exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:
veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

The English translation:

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

The English Dominicans:

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=FWGM9bJR2Cs&feature=PlayList&p=34D4E38FC957CA1D&index=6

And below, Jan van Eyck’s Madonna of 1433.

Source Breakning news.ie

“Bishop took minimal action over clerical sex abuse claims

19/12/2008 – 19:00:56
A Co Cork based Bishop took minimal action over a series of child sex abuse allegations against two of his priests, a damning report has found.

The investigation by the church’s abuse watchdog also concluded that what little action was taken by Bishop of Cloyne John Magee was inappropriately delayed and responses were inadequate and dangerous.

The allegations – branded alarming by the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) – centre on two priests within the Co Cork diocese.

In a stark conclusion, the report states: “Put simply, the responses of the Diocese could be described as ill-advised, and too little, too late.”

The first allegation, against Father A, was made by a priest in December 2004 who claimed he had been abused by another priest when he was a young boy.

Complaints were also made against a second priest, Father B, who was accused of molesting two teenage girls over a five year period, abusing a 14-year-old boy and of having a year-long sexual relationship with the boy’s mother.

“The issues that these two cases deal with are very serious,” the Church’s watchdog found.

“The potential for long lasting hurt as a result of mishandling a complaint is real.”

The inquiry found that church meetings to deal with sex abuse claims apparently focused on the needs of the accused priest while there was no documented evidence of concern about children vulnerable to ongoing risks.

It said there appeared to be no understanding or appreciation of the nature of issues being dealt with, noting that child sex abusers do not reform easily.

One Cork TD accused both the State and the Church of trying to bury the report – which was handed over to Children’s Minister Barry Andrews and the Health Service Executive in July – by releasing it on a Friday evening before Christmas.

A spokesman for the Bishop, who tonight apologised to clerical sex abuse victims, said he had no plans to resign over the report’s shocking revelations.”

Perhaps was just to busy with his Cathedral Wrecking plans….:confused::(

“It said there appeared to be no understanding or appreciation of the nature of issues being dealt with” – and where have we seen this before..:(

Source Irish Examiner Frontpage news today

“Saturday, December 20, 2008

Pressure on bishop to quit

By Claire O’Sullivan and Paul O’Brien
BISHOP OF CLOYNE John Magee was coming under strong pressure to resign last night as a damning Church report revealed he and his diocese had put children at risk by delaying in reporting clerical sex abuse to gardaí and failing to immediately remove alleged offenders from ministries.

The report from the Catholic Church’s National Board for Safeguarding Children (NSBC) found the Co Cork diocese was “significantly deficient” in dealing with alleged child abuse cases and “failed to focus on the needs of the vulnerable child”.

It also said the diocese had no understanding of the effects of paedophilia, or of the high level of re-offending. The report’s author, Ian Elliott, said that after a victim approached the bishop and his child protection team with a complaint, the actions taken were “minimal and were delayed”.

He also noted that the complaints made to the bishop were credible and that more children were put at risk because of this failure to react appropriately.

“The diocese is vulnerable to being seen to be complicit in not taking action to remove these people from the priesthood,” Mr Elliott wrote in the report.

Mr Elliott said that the NSBC began to investigate the handling of claims after it was alerted to two serious complaints where the victims reported a perceived lack of willingness by the bishop and fellow priests to follow appropriate child protection regulations.

In the case of the second victim, the failure of the diocese to process her complaint properly had led to “significant additional trauma”.

In a statement last night, Bishop Magee said he was “disappointed” at the contents of the report, saying he had accepted its findings and that the diocese would now ensure best practice in the area.

Bishop Magee made the decision to publish the report after the Department of Health, who received it last July, said they wouldn’t publish it. “I co-operated with this review and fully accept its recommendations. I am currently implementing the findings of this review,” said the bishop.

He has said he won’t be resigning over the issue.

Chief executive of One in Four Maeve Lewis said that the report was “devastating” and showed that the Church was incapable of “monitoring its own child protection regulations”.

Ms Lewis added that the two complaints highlighted in the report were “the tip of the iceberg” and that they had more complaints about the disregarding of abuse complaints by the diocese.

She warned however that this attitude to child protection wasn’t confined to Cloyne and that clients in several other dioceses had encountered similar reactions from the Church.

“The Ferns report seemed to signal that the Catholic Church was prepared to follow rigorous procedures in relation to allegations of sexual abuse, and to work closely with the HSE and the gardaí. However, each bishop is autonomous within his own diocese and can exercise complete discretion as to how an allegation should be handled. We must wonder if other scandals are to come,” she said.

Labour TD Sean Sherlock said Bishop Magee’s response was “simply not adequate” and called on him to consider stepping down.

Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter said the report was “a damning indictment of the failure on the part of Church authorities to implement essential child protection procedures”.

Minister for Children Barry Andrews has repeatedly insisted that the report was an internal Church document, and therefore not for him to publish. He says he will publish a separate HSE report into the issue.”………………:confused:

@Praxiteles wrote:

I just wonder about heritage protection standards in the diocese of Cloyne and wonder when, eventually, the HACK will have to resign for its incompetence and misguidance.

Indeed, the recent media attention to the what would appear to be a total incompetence and lack of any understanding of the issues, just mirrors the arrogance and handling of the whole St.Colmans debacle.

The seriousness of the recent Abuse allegation cases or more specifically their handling, is on a level far more dangerous than the re-ordering issues but it is worth noting the similarities in their handling. To quote the Churches Abuse Watchdog “It said there appeared to be no understanding or appreciation of the nature of issues being dealt with,”

What is it going to take to get Resignations……:confused:

@pandaz7 wrote:

Should the handling of child sex abuse cases and re-ordering of Church sanctuaries be mentioned in the same paragraph in this way? Surely these two issues are entirely unrelated. The latter has been rightly commented on in great detail in this forum and I wholly agree with the thrust of the objections in the Cobh case but it must pale into insignificance beside the protection of innocent children.

Absolutely, it pales into insignificance and perhaps my comment “the seriousness of the recent Abuse allegation cases or more specifically their handling, is on a level far more dangerous than the re-ordering issues” was not strong enough at all.

What we are hearing in the media now is just horrendous and my only point of bringing it to the attention of Archiseek, is that alas it is the same people of so called authority that are also responsible for the situation with St. Colman’s.
And I literally mean the same people 😮

What smigin of trust I had for these individuals, well , with this mind boggling handling of the protection of Children…. what trust in anything they do or say could you have again..:mad:

I’m no defender of the child (sexual) abusers, but not only are the persons mentioned different in degree, they are utterly different in kind as well. It’s as well to separate the two issues in our mind completely – except in that both are misuses of power and control and are utterly insensitive to the concerns and feelings of others.
However, an abuser could be a sensitive aesthete, and vice-versa; there’s simply no connection. Just keep getting the boot into the Bishop of Cloyne for his mishandling of the conservation and restoration of one of Ireland’s most impressive buildings. Unlike the Bishop of Cloyne for the time being, the cathedral will endure, even in a diminished state.