Does Christ Care Where We Worship?

[This series of Viewer Letters were written in response to the article Mr. Fitzpatrick wrote titled “Burnt Offerings and Great Cathedrals.”]

Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick,

I would add one more thought to your article in defense of the beauty exhibited in our Catholic churches. Not all of us are given the appropriate gifts to become social reformers. Some among us are artists due to God's choices in distributing human talent and abilities. Artists need appropriate places to offer spiritually inspired works back to God. It's a desire to worship God that leads many people to paint, draw, sing, etc. In their proper location, art forms originally experienced and expressed by the artist can be used by others to find inspiration in God's presence to us. Olasky might not find inspiration in viewing the Piet&agrave, for example, but a world full of other worshippers have.

Thanks for your article,

Suzanne Aviles

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Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick:

I have spent 2-4 months yearly since 1997 in Tanzania volunteering as an orthopedic surgeon. This is what changed my thinking on building churches. Christ really doesn't care where we worship or do our Christian duties.

I feel Catholics spend too much on churches. It is hard to justify spending $1M on a church in Bukoba, Tanzania when there are 150,000 AIDS orphans and starving people in the region. Priests are taught more about building churches than helping people. I think all religions should quit building churches until we feed all the people in the world. We could do it if the pope and religious leaders agreed.

Tom Setter

Anthem, Arizona

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Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick,

Again a very cogent message for us.

A few months ago on EWTN's The World Over, a bishop from Latin America told the story about a new rector for the cathedral in his diocese. The rector, who was very dedicated to helping the poverty-stricken people of his parish, wanted to sell the precious gems, gold and silver in the ornate cathedral and use this money to feed the poor. When the bishop heard about this he asked this priest if he had informed his laity about his plans. The rector said that he had not. The bishop ordered him to do so before he did anything to the cathedral.

The next Sunday the priest addressed his congregation with his proposal and there arose an immediate uproar of “No!” Shocked, the rector told them to think about the idea, that there were many needy people in the parish. The same scene took place the following week. The rector did not understand until the bishop explained that these people were born into and lived their lives in abject poverty. The only moments of beauty and solace they received were in this beautiful cathedral. Many walked miles, even in bad weather, to get there, and many spent the day there praying and visiting friends and relatives. It was the highlight of their week.

Sometimes, like Marvin Olasky, we miss the majesty and beauty of the forest because all we see are the trees.

God bless you and your work Mr. Fitzpatrick.

Edwin Beasley

Viera, Florida

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Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick,

As always, I enjoy your columns. I, like most others, have fielded this complaint of why we spend so much on church buildings. You alluded to my thoughts when you mentioned that these folks, by complaining, don't have much appreciation for the “evocative power of Catholic liturgy.” I assume that this may also refer to Christ becoming physically present at Mass as well as His presence in the tabernacle. My wife and I feel that if many Catholics and most Protestants understood these facts more in their heart and not just in minds, they would feel the need to build grander structures than what we now have. Protestants just don't get that when we call the Church the House of God we mean He's really in there.

Just last week I attended the funeral of a parishioner who was a convert to the faith. Many friends and relatives were not Catholic. Later in the day I spoke with one of the friends at a gas station. While this man spoke of how moved he was by the different parts of the liturgy, he also spoke of his deep disappointment in not being able to receive Communion. I asked if he understood what Catholics believe about the Eucharist. He replied that he understood the same as I, that it was a symbol. I interrupted and explained the doctrine of the True Presence. Then it hit him. He could not believe that I could believe something as far-fetched as that. It appears we have a lot of educating to do.

Thanks for your columns.

In Christ,

Bill Sullivan

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Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick,

In regards to your article “Burnt Offerings and Great Cathedrals”: What most Protestants and, unfortunately, many Catholics fail to realize is at Mass we are in the living presence of God through the Eucharist. If we, as Catholics, truly believe this, would we not want to honor this presence in the most beautiful environment we can?

Weekly I am amazed at the attire of those who attend Mass to witness this miracle. Again, this may be a matter of taste, but if we truly believe God will be present before us would we not honor Him with respectful dress?

I, like you, make no apologies for the architectural grandeur of our churches for I know the wonder that takes place there.

A few years ago I had the pleasure of attending a Mass at a small Ukrainian Catholic church of the Byzantine Rite. The sacredness of that Mass reminded me of why I find the Catholic faith so complete. I can go to Mass in any chapel, church, or cathedral, and God, through the Eucharist, will be there with me. If given the choice though, give me an environment that reflects the sacred miracle.

Thank You,

Edward Flaga