In the past few years, Catholics have (rightly) scoffed as Anglican Cathedrals installed everything from mini golf to slides in order to attract people into their beautiful churches.
Now, it appears as though the complete boredom with the faith that led to those installations has now made its way towards the Irish Catholic Church. We have long had concerts and so forth in churches here, but a new novelty in Cobh shows that we may be approaching Anglican levels of banality that no one thought possible anytime soon.
St. Colman’s was beautifully designed by Edward Pugin in the 1800s, son of genius Augustin Pugin. Yet in the 2000s, church authorities sought to wreckovate the building, looking to smash up the beautiful altar and install a ridiculous modern one.
The bishop at the time stated that the attack on the church, against the wishes of the people, was being done in the spirit of Vatican II, stating: ‘We believe that to facilitate the full involvement of people in the liturgy, the (new) structure should add to the experience of the community celebrating together’.
Thankfully, the iconoclasm came to nothing, but in thanks to the secular authorities, who prevented the destruction after 25,000 people petitioned against the Bishop’s aggressive plans against the faithful.
Now, the boredom with beauty and sanctity has manifested itself in another way.
A construction titled ‘Gaia’ (yes, after the Greek god) has been established in the cathedral.
Many Irish are adverse to having mature conversations on important topics until it is too late (ask Joe Duffy) and the issue has gone too far. Yet, this conversation needs to be had now. Are we bored with the faith? Is the worship of Christ not enough? Should Cathedrals prioritise other, non religious needs? Should our cathedral spaces be used as cultural, rather than religious spaces?
Belfast born businessman Garry Wilson is behind bringing the venture to Cobh, he told the Irish Examiner
Instead of looking at a screen, maybe have a look at the place where we live, and who knows what thoughts that might bring into peoples’ minds
Bishop Crean’s comments were no more focused upon the sacred:
Caring for our planet is as important now as it has ever been, and this exhibition gives us all a chance to sit, reflect, and refocus on our common goal to make our planet a better place in which to live.
The Earth model was previously on display at Rochester Cathedral, the stunning medieval building that has recently become a laughing stock for hosting crazy golf as a means of…getting people in the door? Increasing revenues. Not introducing people to Jesus Christ certainly.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility to think that ecclesiastical authorities in Ireland might consider such an installation in the near future, if not, why not? Since the church is being used for purposes other than religion, what difference does it make if it is a massive Globe or a crazy golf course?
Some might dismiss this as looking for problems or complaints, that is not the case. Those who complain about radtrads might want to ask themselves what radicalised said individuals, if one attempts to have a Traditional Latin Mass in such cathedrals the answer is most often no, yet if one wants to have a secular art instillation for its own sake, the answer appears to be yes, where is the sense in this, what is the church’s priority here?
At a time when prominent figures in the country are photographing Catholic symbols in hospitals and whipping up public mobs to demand their removal, our spaces should not be handed over so easily.