Waterdog
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Sep 2, 5:34 AM (ET)
By PAUL WILBORN
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The opening of the first new U.S. Cathedral in 25 years comes as the Roman Catholic church deals with economic problems and a sex abuse scandal, but leaders say the landmark building is just what is needed during these turbulent times.
The $195 million Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral - intentionally a foot longer than New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral - was scheduled to open Monday at a dedication that was to draw on the diverse backgrounds of the community.
Cardinal Roger Mahony, the leader of the nation's largest Roman Catholic archdiocese, said the cathedral is symbolic of the church's ability to withstand the turmoil.
"A cathedral is timeless in terms of human joys and difficulties," Mahony said. "We've had over the course of time and history many saints and sinners in the church. The cathedral stands as its own reflection of God's presence."
Protesters angered by the church's handling of sex abuse allegations were expected among the thousands of priests and visitors during the dedication ceremony outside the cathedrals' thick, adobe-colored walls.
The cathedral is Spanish architect Rafael Moneo's postmodern interpretation of California's original Spanish missions, including sloping floors, high ceilings and muted tapestries that depict saints and worshippers.
Artists and designers have added symbols from diverse beliefs and languages as a way of welcoming everyone, Mahony said.
The 25-ton bronze doors carry symbols of deities from around the world, and a disc-like water sculpture in the entry is inscribed with the biblical phrase "I will give you living water" in the 37 languages in which Mass is celebrated throughout the archdiocese.
A procession of 565 priests, bishops, archbishops and cardinals was to cross the cathedral plaza and walk down the 333-foot-long nave. Mahony, five bishops and a monsignor planned to bless the building.
Built on a hill overlooking the traffic-choked Hollywood Freeway, the cathedral also stands as a reflection of Mahony's commitment to the city's downtown.
Along with drawing from California's 9 million Catholics, it is expected to draw tourists from Europe, South America and Asia and become a focal point for redevelopment of downtown.
There are no official projections, but tourism officials hope the number will top the 6 million people that visit St. Patrick's each year. The Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, is nearby, and the Disney Concert Hall is expected to open late next year
"The cathedral is another crown jewel in downtown," said Carol Schatz, of the Central City Association, a downtown development group. "What brings downtowns back to life are a number of things, but one is architectural masterpieces that give people a reason to come downtown."
The church itself has struggled financially as the stock market decline has taken a deep bite out of the archdiocese's budget, forcing cuts for ministry and education by as much as 30 percent and a scaling back of the opening celebrations.
Most of the $195 million to build the cathedral was raised through private donations. A 6,000-space mausoleum, built beneath the cathedral, along with a gift shop, restaurant, conference center and a 600-car parking garage should cover most expenses, Mahony said.
The design has drawn mixed reviews from the community.
Bill Scott, a county employee who has watched the cathedral rise across the street from his office, said he doesn't know what to make of it. "It doesn't look like a church," he said. "It looks more like a fortress ... or a prison."
Max DeMoss, a Riverside artist who created a number of pieces for the cathedral, agreed with the fortress description but said, he also gets "a sense of exhilaration as I approach it."
The cardinal, who lives in a second-floor apartment that overlooks the plaza, said he is pleased with the finished product.
"The inside has a warmth and prayerfulness and peacefulness to it that I wasn't sure we would reach," he said. "I just couldn't be more pleased."
Still daunting, though, is the shadow of the sex abuse scandal that has plagued the Catholic Church.
"While Cardinal Mahony is celebrating his building, we'll be there to expose the lies and deceptions and deceit, which has been the foundation many victims have experienced in the church," said Mary Grant, who heads a Southern California chapter of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests.
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So let us go forth to Him outside the camp (Heb 13:11-14)
 
Posts: 374 | From: Austin, TX | Registered: Jun 2002
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