In NORTHWEST TIMES-March 2002 issue, DR. AL SZEWS of "VATICAN COMPLAINANT" fame and respected leader in "Catholics United for the Faith" answers the question "WHAT WILL SACRED HEART LOOK LIKE?"
'Bizarre,' says renovation critic from Milwaukee
NORTHWEST TIMES Editor's Note - The following was excerpted from a submission by Dr. Al Szews, a retired professor from Marquette University, and a worshipper at St. John's Cathedral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I am writing to fellow Catholics and friends of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester to warn them about what will most likely happen to their beautiful House of God.
While no one should oppose necessary maintenance of a lovely cathedral, the fact that Sacred Heart has hired Father Richard Vosko to direct the "renovation" should cause serious concern.
Last summer Milwaukee made national news when the Vatican ordered controversial church "designer" Father Vosko to stop his radical $5 million plans to dismantle our majestic St. John's Cathedral.
Vosko has needlessly destroyed some of the most beautiful church interiors in the United States by falsely claiming that such destruction was required by the Vatican.
While he frequently refers to himself as "Dr. Vosko," he has no professional design credentials and is not licensed in any state as an architect, engineer or interior designer. His "PhD" from Syracuse University is in adult education and has nothing to do with designing buildings.
Since all of his "designs" basically look very much the same, it is very predictable what he will do at Sacred Heart. Despite the fact that the Vatican condemned his plans for St. John's, he difiantly ignored them and committed the following violations:
*Reconfigured the cathedral's intricate interior in a way that went against the pre-established arhitectural design for which it was intended.
*Destroyed the magnificent 40-foot high altar of eight marble columns which supported an ornamental brass canopy. [The craftsmanship to replicate such a work of art could not be found today.]
*Installed a pipe organ in place of the high altar, a move which the Vatican opposed because the organ became the new focal point and center of the cathedral.
*Removed the Blessed Sacrament, which Catholics believe is the real presence of Jesus Christ. The Vatican wanted this to remain on the high altar since that was the most prominent and conspcuous location in the cathedral. However, Father Vos-ko moved the Blessed Sacrament out of sight to the Baptistry, so that when one enters the front doors, it cannot be found without getting directions.
*Placed a circular altar [which looks like a UFO landing site] out of the sanctuary and in the middle of the congregation, which fails to show respect for the hierarchical structure
God's church.
Father Vosko's project was also cited for claiming that the above violations were Vatican requirements.
According to noted Canon lawyer Alan R. Kershaw in Rome, "Vosko is no longer in good standing with the Vatican."
A late addition to our cathedral was a bizarre, stick-like figure hanging on a single pole "crucifix" with a huge crown of thorns floating overhead. There is a wishbone in the figure's right hand as it is suspended over the altar. This replaced a much more traditional and reverent-looking crucifix that had originally been planned.
It is difficult to meditate or pray when viewing this "crucifix" since one can hardly recognize it as such. The cost for this was a staggering $500,000.
It is also worth mentioning that one of the primary reasons given for St. John's renovation was to increase the seating capapcity. In reality, with the placement of movable circular seating, there are now considerably fewer seats.
We, here in Milwaukee, pray that Sacred Heart will be spared from massive destruction and desecration--costing millions of dollars--and from the mandates of Father Vosko, who only seems interested in following the Almighty...Buck.
Webmaster note: The Northwest Times (circ: 10,000) is a community newspaper in the Sacred Heart geographical area, and neighborhood. It is supported by local business advertisements. Editor-John Doser at [nwtimes@rochester.rr.com]
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