Letters to Editor of Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester NY "Speaking Out Section" unless otherwise identified. Includes letters to editor from Catholic Courier and Northwest Times.

SIMILAR PROBLEMS BESET CATHEDRAL PLANS IN ROCHESTER & MILWAUKEE "Michael F. Brennan Guest Essayist 4/5/02 As a parishioner of Sacred Heart Cathedral and a frequent attendee of its parish council meetings, I have expressed interest and concern about the renovation plans. Many of us believe this is proving to be an expensive proposition that defies the papacy and current liturgical instructions. The plans as they are unfolding are based on five lectures given by the Rev. Richard S. Vosko, the liturgical design consultant, to the renovation commttees, the clergy and the parishioners of the Diocese of Rochester. A liturgical design consultant was nonexistant 30 years ago, and the profession still has no recognition from church or state. There is no licensing, as there is with architects. Many parishioners of Saced Heart and the diocese are convinced that Vosko's lectures on Vatican II and church history and his interpretation of church art and architecture contradict Vatican II, canon law, the General Instruction Roman Missal and the Ceremonial for Bishops, a pastoral document. That is why more than 5,000 Catholics and residents of the Rochester area signed the petition opposing the removal of the tabernacle from the sanctuary, placement of a new altar toward the middle of the cathedral and reconfiguration of the sanctuary/presbyterium into a space for orchestra and choir. The "sawing in half" of the 19th century pulpit that Archbishop Sheen preached from is also planned. Video and transcripts of three of Vosko's lectures in Rochester were recorded and forwarded to the canon lawyer for Rochester parishioners in the Vatican. I gave permission to use these transcripts for any other diocese that needed them. These transcripts are currently in evidence before a court of canon law in the Vatican. Vosko's design recommendation for our Sacred Heart Cathedral is almost identical to his design for the Milwaukee cathedral. The Milwaukee project moved Jorge A. Cardinal Medina Estvez, prefect for the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, to a "remand," "revise" and "await your response" instruction to Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland of Milwaukee. However, Weakland chose to ignore the instruction. Will Bishop Clark choose to ignore this very relevant instruction? Weakland, soon to retire, gained time by petitioning the Signatura Canon Law Court while continuing his renovation. Our petition and evidence in the form of videos and transcripts may prove fundamental in those proceedings. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published the text of this instruction to Weakland, and it can be viewed on line by searching the archives on the newspaper's Web site: www.jsonline.com. The similarity in the problems between the Milwaukee and Sacred Heart cathedrals is striking: To quote the Milwaukee instruction: "The first serious obstacle is the incongruity of the proposed floor plan (which) is evidently pre-establised by architectural style. Contrary to the norms of the 1975 General Instruction Roman Missal, (the primary liturgical document for the Catholic Mass) the presbyterium (sanctuary) would lose its internal coherence where attention is naturally focused in the cathedral (by) placing the altar, in effect, in the midst of the central nave (the body of the church building). This fails adequately to respect the hierarchical (primary focus) structure of the Church of God." "The proposed relocation of the tabernacle in what is presently the Baptistry does not offer the people of God a placement which is truly conspicuous." Furthermore (related to its size and location) "it would restrict to so few, opportunities for private prayer, before the Blessed Sacrament." Vosko's manipulation process is riddled with disinformation to clergy, committees and parishoners. (end of text with comment by editor) Brennan attends Sacred Heart Cathedral and is a member of the Coalition in Defense of Church Teaching." Comments: Unfortunately the editor chose not to use [http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jul01/cathsid03070201a.asp?format=print] for easy verification and the opportunity to read Cardinal Medina's entire letter.

RENOVATION MUST RELATE TO ECONOMY (CATHOLIC COURIER 3/28/02) To the editor: I am writing in reference to the Thursday, February 28, 2002 Catholic Courier's article "Cathedral renovation moves ahead." Apparently and unless circumstances occur to moderate it, the people of the Diocese of Rochester are going to be asked to fund extensive renovations of Sacred Heart Cathedral, costing in excess of $4 million dollars. The proposed renovations have implications for not only the Cathedral itself but also for all other churches in the diocese as well. Father John Mulligan states "since Sacred Heart is the mother church for the entire diocese...it should comply with the church's liturgical directives and serve as a model for other diocesan churches." In short, should individual pastors/pastoral administrators feel so moved, the people of the diocese could be asked to incur costs for not only the Cathedral but their own individual churches as well. The precedent will already have been established. I have, over the last 30 years, visited the Cathedral. It is a magnificent structure reflecting fine Gothic style. I will concede that some form of renovation is indeed indicated but not to the degree or extent present plans would lead us. As we journey towards the future, regarding the Cathedral renovation, let us not in the present, break faith with the legacy left to us by those who have gone before us. Let us preserve for posterity that which has been handed down to us for it is our treasure. Locally, I have seen churches built along modernist lines. I have seen what occurs when churches built along past historical architectural lines are renovated with a view toward bringing them in line with current specious "norms." They each tend, and this is my own personal opinion, to be rather cold, disjointed and empty spaces that do not lend themselves to an experience of the sacred. In view of 9-11, we live in perilous and uncertain times. Because of this reality our national and local economies have been adversely impacted. From a pastoral perspective, at the same time our Catholic people are being stretched to their limits to meet their own personal financial burdens, they are being asked through stewardship programs to increase their weekly contribution-percentage tithing-to pay rising costs for overall operation of our parishes. Let us not ask them to carry any further unnecessary financial burdens. To do so is scandalous. One final note: In all the articles generated in relationship to the Cathedral renovation, I have yet to read any citation or any in-depth reference to any Church document that grounds the theological and liturgical basis for the current renovation plan. BE NOT AFRAID. George J. Gublo DeWitt Avenue Elmira (New York)

BISHOP SHOULD ADDRESS ANOTHER MATTER AS WELL (March 19, 2002 Democrat&Chronicle) It was commendable for Bishop Matthew Clark to publicly address the difficult topic of sexual abuse among clergy (March 3). However, there is another controversy in our community. Bishop Clark has failed to publicly address, the needless dismantling of majestic Sacred Heart Cathedral. More than 5,000 area Catholics and residents opposing this radical project have signed petitions, but Bishop Clark remains silent. Why is he preparing to destroy the interior of Rochester's most famous house of worship, when it is not necessary or required? Our community certainly deserves to be given a public explanation. MARY STROBINO GIORGI Rochester CATHEDRAL RENOVATION INTENSIFIES CRISIS OF FAITH (3/18/02 - Democrat and Chronicle) The Sacred Heart Cathedral renovation is forging ahead: the tabernacle will be moved (story Feb 20). If, as the planners say, under Father Vosko's consultancy that they wish to show God mingling among the people, then why move his actual presence? Christ is present, as the churh teaches us, in his word, in the ministers, in the sacraments, and where two or three are gathered together in his name. He is present in our works of mercy, in our pilgrimages to reach heaven, and in our pastors as they govern the Church. So why relegate his physical presence to a lesser position in the House of God. At this point in our history, we face a crisis of faith: vocations to religious life are dwindling; about 50 percent of married Catholics divorce; our youth feel alienated from religion. Many Catholics don't go to weekly Mass. Knowing this, one would expect that the Blessed Sacrament would be given even greater prominence after the renovation. Now that would be truly "spectacular!" We should practice what we preach and allow everybody to enjoy the substantial presence of Christ. JAN E. FREDERICKS Rochester

NORTHWEST TIMES (March , 2002) letter to editor: DIOCESE TO ELIMINATE SACRED HEART Middle School classes, yet will spend millions on renovation. The Diocese of Rochester is planning to spend millions of dollars to needlessly dismantle the interior of Sacred Heart Cathedral. How can this ever be justified when they are now planning to eliminate classes at Sacred Heart School because of escalating tuition costs and underpaid teachers? Why must our children's education suffer because it's more important to jack-hammer the interior of our Cathedral? Now we have to try to save both Sacred Heart Church and School from a Diocese that seems to have lost touch with reality. PAUL JENKINS Sacred Heart Parishioner NORTHWEST TIMES (March 2002) Letter to the Editor: MOVING THE TABERNACLE DOES NOT REMOVE GOD Where are they going to put God? Someone recently asked that regarding renovations at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Many people are protesting the renovation to take place at the cathedral on Flower City Park. They fear that the tabernacle will be removed from the altar and placed in another area of the church. I would like to remind them that God is in our hearts, and when we go to church, we bring Him with us, making it possible to see Him in one another. As is said in John 13:20, "Most assuredly, I say to you he who receives me receives He who sent me." The Christian has in his heart the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. ANNE J. LUPO Victor

"FOR SACRED HEART A LESSON IN MARTYRDOM [headline of letter to editor 2/27/02 Rochester Democrat&Chronicle] "On Feb 20, the Democrat and Chronicle reported that the Diocese of Rochester plans to remove the Blessed Sacrament from the center of Sacred Heart Cathedral. Catholics believe that this is the real presence of Jesus Christ. Ironically on Feb 20, 1967, the Rev. George Weinmann and Sister Lilian McLaughlin gave their very lives attempting to remove the Blessed Sacrament from a fire at St. Philip Neri Church. The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen, then stationed at Sacred Heart, referred to them as martyrs for their heroic effort. Today, many Catholics are losing the faith, and abandoning the incredible treasure of Jesus, truly present in every Catholic church. Why is Christ the King no longer worthy to remain most prominently enthroned in the center of his cathedral? There is no authentic church mandate to remove the Blessed Sacrament. In fact, at a recent meeting of Catholic bishops in Atlanta, they described the growing disbelief in Christ's presence in the Blessed Sacrament as "a grave situation." God help us!" Shirley Ferrera Rochester

D&C 1/7/02 'Cathedral Renovation out of sync with Times' "There seems to be a perception problem in the Diocese of Rochester as far as the renovation of Sacred Heart Cathedral is concerned. About 5,000 people in the diocese have petitioned Bishop Clark to reconsider his radical plan to gut the interior of the cathedral, which includes the tearing down of the present altar, removing the pews and bring down the choir and organ to where the present altar is in the sanctuary. The bishop continues with his plans for the renovation as if the consensus were in his favor. On July 2, Cardinal Jorge Medina, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments ordered another U.S. bishop to stop the renovation of his cathedral, a renovation that is almost identical to that proposed for Sacred Heart. The proposed renovations were not within the dictates of Canon Law. Yet here in Rochester we are told that the proposed destruction and reconstruction of the interior of Sacred Heart is dictated by the very laws that Rome tells us we are breaking. An autumn conference at the University of Notre Dame on church architecture revealed that some of the churches that in the 1960's and 70's did these very same types of renovations are now changing back to the more classical forms, which they had previously destroyed. Yet, here at Sacred Heart, we are still moving full speed ahead to implement these expensive, dated and self-centering architectural styles. Is anyone listening?" Barbara J. Fredericks, Rochester [D&C noted that "Fredericks is a member of the Sacred Heart Preservation Committee"]

D&C 1/4/01 (a year old but still excellent) CHURCH PRESERVATION A REASON TO REJOICE The Dec. 24 article "Church rejoices in revival" was excellent. Congratulations to the people of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, who respect and appreciate the sacred confines of their church enough to restore and preserve it. Sacred Heart Cathedral would do well to take a lesson from Ss. Peter and Paul before it begins needless and costly dismantling to its beautiful interior. Unfortunately, Bishop Matthew Clark seems more concerned about eliminating Catholic identity than preserving it. Robert Cepeda Rochester

"Iconoclasts are the Small Group" D&C 12/8/01 "Speaking Out Section" "It is difficult to understand why the Rev. John Mulligan, pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral, would refer to those protesting the renovations as "a very small group" (story, Dec 3). In the very same article, it is stated that a petition opposing the renovations was "signed by more than 5,000 people." This petition was sent to both Bishop Clark and the Vatican. The truth of the matter is that only "a very small group" wants to spend millions of dollars to needlessly destroy the beautiful interior of the cathedral." Dominic V. Ferrera, Rochester [Here is a curious perspective] RENOVATION WOULD SAVE SACRED HEART 12/18/01 I feel I must protest your one-sided coverage surrounding the updating of Sacred Heart Cathedral to upgrade its physical plant and more importantly to comply with the norms of the Second Vatican Council. In a Dec. 3 story, Jim Anderson, one of the protesters of the renovations, said that Sacred Heart "is something right out of Europe." I have been in cathedrals of England, Germany, France and Italy. Believe me, they are nothing like Sacred Heart Cathedral. We worshipped at the cathedral for over 20 years. As you should know, Sacred Heart was built as a parish church. It became our cathedral only after St. Patrick's Cathedral was torn down to make way for more buildings on the Kodak office site. I visit cathedrals in the United States whenever the opportunity arises. The cathedrals of Chicago and Portland, Ore. have constructed tabernacles separate from their main altars, as per current church norms. They are works of art, truly extraordinary places for the repose of the body of Jesus. In fact, with this relocating of the tabernacles in these cathedrals, the faithful can pray even closer to the Blessed Sacrament. So I am not sure what all the fuss is about. Some folks are simply opposed to change. Some are simply opposed to anything post Vatican II. And some are opposed to anything Bishop Clark proposes. I leave it to your readers to decide where the save-Sacred-Heart group resides. Thomas M. Kelly Perinton