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VATICAN MUSEUM DIRECTOR Antonio Paolucci today criticised contemporary-style churches for lacking “form” and harked back to the Baroque era when he said that shrines embodied religious faith.
Award-winning architect Richard Meier’s Church of God the Merciful Father in Rome (pictured) “could just as well be a museum in Texas or an auditorium in Melbourne”, he wrote in the Vatican’s official Osservatore Romano daily.
Paolucci, who is also the head of cultural heritage for the Vatican, said what was lacking in these structures was the “church form”.
“The beautiful, functional, symbolically efficient building that can serve as a model still does not exist, or at least I have not found it,” he said.
Paolucci said that religious faith in Russia survived through 70 years of Communist atheism thanks to the many churches that were preserved.
The Vatican official said he spoke about the matter with Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno and the cardinal vicar of Rome Agostino Vallini this week at the presentation of a book illustrating 45 new churches built in the Italian capital since 2000.
Paolucci is not the first Vatican voice to criticise contemporary churches.
Vatican culture chief Gianfranco Ravasi has said many modern churches are “inhospitable” and even compared them to “pretentious and vulgar houses” that were as alienating as a concert hall.
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Breaking News: Catholic leaders denounce change and modernity…
Sometimes one green thumb just isn’t enough!
So what’s more important…the structure or its purpose?
It’s all a matter of taste. I find the modern churches that were built in the 80′s kind of stay in the 80′s whereas the more baroque style is one that is timeless and never gets old. In saying that I don’t mind going to a modern church, but if I had a choice…
I agree though that the pictured modern church is very hard to distinguish between it and a secular building and does not provoke one to think about Jesus Christ but blends too much in with the world. I understand that the church needs to be socially progressive in their presentation of the faith in order to evangelise but this actually backfires and does the opposite. There is a modern church in my parish that manages to actually look like a church from the outside. If they can master that kind of architecture then they are on to something. So yes structure does play a small role in making Gods presence visible in the community.
Ill agree with you Stephen in so much that the like of St. Patrick’s cathedral just can’t be compared with them pyramid things you see on the north side.
From an architectural point of view, … The structure.
The church needs to sort out its own house first.
I think the same about Santas grotto at Xmas time Stephen…..just not enough pictures of Santa on the wall
They could sell some of these buildings and land and pay compensation to victims of their abuse.
He should be grateful churches are being build at all!
Not enough gold or priceless artwork in them new-fangled churches.
They should sell some of their wealth and after they have paid redress to all the children that were raped by the people in their fold, and routed out the priests,cardinals and bishops that turned a blind and moved the rapists to different parishes an out of the country so they couldn’t be prosecuted, with the money they have left over they can build themselves some churches.
Well knock them all down then. Or let the homeless use them.
Let the homeless use them. Might want to rethink that.
The Pope was getting into his limo one night when he turned to the limo driver and said, “Before I die, I would love to drive this beautiful limo just once.”
“Well, here,” the limo driver says, “Take the wheel, Your Holiness!”
Further down the road, the limo is stopped by a policeman who looks in the window, goes back to his squad car, calls dispatch and says, “I just pulled over someone real important and I don’t know what to do.”
“Well, who is it?” his dispatcher says, “The mayor? The governor? The president?”
“I don’t know,” the officer responds, “but the Pope’s his chauffer!”
They’ll make great libraries when the church allow us all to defect…
Modern churches not fit for purpose? I’m gonna go out on a limb here but are they too big by any chance?
It wouldn’t be the first time the church got it wrong.
Inhospitable and vulgar… I think that’s quite appropriate.
Well as a musician who performs regularly in churches I have to say that acoustically the newer churches are a nightmare with the suspended ceilings and thick carpet. Give me an old church witb flagstone, timber beams and high ceilings where sound can travel naturally and the need for a PA is rare.
really interesting perspective, Barbara. architecture is supposed to take that into account, and some would argue that the flow of sound is far more important than visual effect, depending on the type of liturgy of course.
I’m an atheist but I’ll agree 100 percent that there’s very few places like a cathedral to sing. Did so with the Irish Youth Choir in Christchurch in Dublin a few years ago and it was phenomenal
Not luxurious enough for the hierarchy …. What’s the world coming to !! …too many hypocrites for me . !
Have you been in enough modern and old churches to compare? And yes I have.
Amazing that the church can make such a statement, have they forgot the bloodguilt on their hands? Many people think of just the crimes of the church in modern times child abuse etc, but look back in history… The countless religious wars in centuries past, genocide of other religious groups(St Bartholomew’s day massacre in France in 1572, 30 Years war etc. Siding with and passiveness(in the name of self preservation) when the nazis ransacked europe and murdered millions, all this from a religion that claims to represent God. Does the building that a criminal hides in disguise his guilt?
My body is my temple!
Of course they’re going to say that. Speaking from a purely architectural point of view the Vatican is one of the world’s most amazing buildings.
Agree,full of statues of naked babies and men been tortured.
And all the guys willie’s are cut off. Honestly though it’s amazing the massive columns around the alter. If there is one good thing to be said about religion it’s its contribution to architecture. That cathedral in Ulm is another example, feckin crazy the size of it.
Been to the Vatican lads?
Never was,never will!
Of course … Shocked at the power and riches of a church that preaches . … Poverty .. Chastity … And obedience …
Money talks !
And has men sitting in corners to hand out scarves to women to cover themselves if their shoulders are bare …, looking back I should have wrapped it elsewhere … Such disprespect for women !! But it’s always been here in the church …
Don’t worry, the time will come when that wealth will be stripped from them. Compare the influence they have now to what they had centuries ago..
You’re a fool Mary. If you were in south east asia and went to one of the (again amazing) temples would you kick up such a fuss where they do the same thing or is that just reserved for the RCC. By the way I dont remember them trying to give my girlfriend one when we were going in.
Shy would u call me a fool when u don’t even know me … ??
Ah thanks !
From your comment. You’re entering their place of worship, why not show a bit of respect? And I dont mean to the church I mean to the people that see it as their holy place. I think it’s the height of ignorance to vist another peoples country/place of worship/whatever and not respect their customs.
You call me a fool and u don’t even know me ????
Ah thanks :)
@ Mary – once again the myth that diocesan priests and clergy take a vow of poverty – they don’t. Religious priests do. There is a difference, but of course you knew that before commenting…
Im not much for the catholic church, but i have to say, those big old-style grey stone churches with the tall stained-glass windows, and proper steeples are what make it real for me. You can keep yer pyramid-style barns at the back of housing estates around clondalkin / blanchardstown / raheeny, they’re not proper churches at all …
I don’t follow any form of religion so take this as an outsiders view, the biggest building in any town or village maybe even city is normally for some religious group or other. Biggest by means wealth in artwork size of building height of roof general volume of internal space… same building is built from parish funds,donations ‘,people buying their way out of purgatory etc. Yet these same buildings refuse to open doors to homeless for winter nights, refuse to allow other religious orders use same buildings … strip the artwork and gold out use the funds to aid the population either in hospital care, or social positive health. Suicide awareness, healthy lifestyle safe sex awareness etc. And then the church might be classified as being up to scratch. (Excuse grammar trying to send via phone)
Some of the suggestions you make are admirable. But they are the responsibility of the state. People bark on about separation of Church and State but still want the Church to fund the State’s responsibility.
The Church has far, far more for worrying about than how pretty its buildings are. It doesn’t matter guys,if you carry on this way, you’ll have nobody to fill them.
“pretentious and vulgar houses” I couldn’t think of a better description for a catholic church, well done Gianfranco!
Trust an old guy to think churches don’t look old enough.
I’ve been to the Vatican. The museum alone is enough to instigate a major international incident, given the wealth (emphasis on wealth) of purloined Egyptian, Sumerian, Persian, Graeco-Roman treasures therein. The corridors are literally miles long and every cornice, return and architrave is gilded. (For the Fine Gael/Lapdog/Fianna Fáil voters/party members, gilded means covered in gold). If this officious oaf is so concerned with the state of Irish Catholic Cult Centres of Worship, let him petition the Mafia controlled banks of the Vatican State for beautification (no, not beatification) funds. The richest most corrupt privately owned organisation on the planet attempts to dictate to a wholly bankrupt country? This is almost as bad as that clown Gore advocating carbon taxes. Oh wait, he got away with that. He must have been baptised Catholic. He obviously learned the art of screwing people from past masters. Cuppa tea Father?…….
Btw, I was baptised Catholic (which word in its true sense means all-encompassing. Not in my experience). I bailed out of that ridiculous superstition based nonsense cult age 12. I have a Protestant surname. Hello redthumb knuckledraggers. :-)
Ok. Mea Culpa Maxima. I didn’t read the full article. I presumed the educated oaf was referring to Irish churches, given the piece was published in The Journal.ie and would therefore have referred to Irish slave-training temples. My apologies for my inexcusable oversight.
@ Joseph – if you’re going to use Latin at least get the word order correct. It just shows ignorance.
Well spotted Lieutenant! My erstwhile Latin teacher would be furious. High time I took a refresher course. The Latin language is a true treasure.
Just a thought, but if the catholic church really believed in what they preach about their all powerful god that controls the universe and all things in it. Why then do they put lightening conductors on churches? Surely god would not strike his own house with lightening.
I just build a kind of a hut out of a dead hedge. It’s not The Vatican but it has a certain rustic charm.
Modern architect students are not allowed to think or use their imaginations when it comes to concepts and drawing, that’s to computer aided design…..so what can he expect…
So you are suggesting that copying gothic designs shows more imagination?
Obviously someone that doesn’t have the slightest idea what he’s talking about. Do you think they just press a button and a building pops out? I’m working on a massive building in England for the last year, we’ve only started the detailed design and they’re still fighting over the facade on it.
Didn’t use the word, copy, shows your lack of imagination and insight, another modern student, read, write, understands nothing…
Keep pressing the buttons, 30 yrs plus in the buss bud, old school…. Engage brain before mouth completes action….
Yea, you should try that.
And by the way…. Research wouldn’t go astray…. Pressing the button and building popping up is here…. Heads up from an old timer.
Pease tell the name of this program? I could really do with it.
My apologies jingle, I get so excited sometimes, I forget ye are in Europe, bit of catching up to do.
Again wjd, please name this fantastic automatic building design program, I’m sure Autodesk would be very interested!
That’s the point… They(RCC) don’t want imagination. Don’t you know?…. That usually leads to thinking.
I bet he is talking about Revit. He probably heard someone speak about it down the pub and thinks he knows all about it I.e. typical poo talker
I know, sell all the property belonging to the church and give the proceeds to the victims of their abuse. Then they wont have to stress about design issues. Sorted:)
I really like it. looks Churchy to me, and some of the ones build in the 60s are horrible, even though many were designed to represent a changing theology. Surely the idea is to present the very best the architect and builders can give, rather than a monolithic idea of ‘church form’?
The church building has a special significance to Catholics, as the house of God; the house in which the presence of God in a special way is kept. It has traditionally being designed and modelled on the Jewish temple. The tabernacle, containing the presence of god being the inner, highest point, the centre of importance. All of the architecture, grandeur, iconography, and worship; are meant to elevate our spirits to the transcendent. This is what Catholics consider important. We have always scraped the pennies together, often at great personal sacrifice, to make the best place we can for God, and worship of Him.
Churches which move the tabernacle from the epicentre, are missing the point. This is not about the elevation of an architects ego, but to what extent the architect can fulfil and enhance the core functions of the building. All else, including the honour paid to the main celebrant, are subservient to the tabernacle. The beauty and scale enhance the churches function.
Whereas the unbeliever sees opulence, we see worship. The church readies our soul and enables us to be charitable and kind to that other representation of Christ on earth, the poor.
Red thumb away, I just taught a catholic view on the church building might be useful in the middle of the mindless view of Christianity.
agree Paddy,
Christianity has played a huge part in the development, of art & architecture in Europe
Music, art, design, & architecture are closely linked to spirituality.
@ Zoe Daly
True Zoe, Europeans have recently developed a dislike for all things Christian. The joys of secularism and relativistic thinking!
We are in an era of national denial, when it comes to the positive influence of Christianity in Europe. We were of course merely barbarians, with child sacrifice, and smash and grab politics BC, sounds familiar again today. Endas announcement that his Book is the constitution; implying no interest in scripture/church as an influence, is sad for him, and for the country he leads. A little time for him on his knees in a church, might have a better influence on him than on his knees to modernism, sold to him by the labour intelligentsia.
It is always interesting to see people who have no faith, finding themselves elevated by the architecture, music, and design. It does speak to something within them, even when their life choices, are pointing in another direction. Beauty and Truth have their own attraction.
My father in law was in the Vatican recently,he is a very holy person,he was disgusted with the wealth inside the many churches and the poor begging on the streets outside,the Catholic Church needs a awake up call,we should all stop contributing to this private company,it is rotted to the core,it’s never going to change,I for 1 will not be bringing up my kids in this religion where paedo’s and rapists get away with everything,where woman cannot be priests and priests themselves have no idea of family life and yet we are expected to follow their leadership,it’s a joke.
I like the Idea going Into the church for mass than go In to a room and pray as I feel I am closer to god. There Is a new thing starting up encouraging the youth to go to mass In our parish centre .but as I recall In my secondary school there was a prayer room to go to
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