Kleenex at the ready.
I guess most readers of this blog will be aware that the great basilica of Miles Platting is no more. During my time at Manchester University, I had the privilege of seeing the great church of S Francis at Gorton, and now Corpus Christi Basilica in Miles Platting, before their demise. (I also witnessed the massacre of the beautiful high altar in Salford Cathedral - after Summorum Pontificum, I dare say they may be regretting that one!)
For those of you who don’t know about the basilica, you’ll find its history here and the BBC story of its closure here.
While searching my computer, I came across these images of the basilica in my pictures folder and thought some of you may like to see them. Reading the Corpus Christi Canonry’s website, it appears that the vandals have struck already on this once great temple of the Faith. I’m especially grateful to have shared in the worship during the legendry Quarante'Ore.
I hope that you enjoy the pictures. May the mission of the Norbertine Fathers grow in their new home.
Nave, looking towards the sanctuary
S Joseph's altar
Nave, looking towards the sanctuary
10 comments:
It's a tragedy that such a beautiful church - basilica no less - should be closing. I came across a former member of that community recently - he's now a seminarian training for a diocese in these lands. While churches are closing, mosques are opening.
Absolutely. I find it sad that once devout inner-city areas have become so God-less. It's interesting that 'CathCon' has linked to this post as he has a list as long as your arm of such desecrations. Take a look at these, for starters:
http://cathcon.blogspot.com/2005/04/muslim-group-transforms-chapel-in.html
http://cathcon.blogspot.com/2007/08/nightlive.html
I know the Church is built of "living stones", but if it were not for the testimony of these awesome buildings, I might not be the Catholic Christian that I am today.
It's really a shame to see such churches closed. There are a thousand other options that could be taken aside from closing the church. Make it a shrine, a place of pilgramage, anything but closing it. Heck, I'm sure even a good religious order would take it. This is really sad.
Ditto in reaction to both comments. There is a group trying to save the basilica, for use as a church and English heritage are taking an interest. perhaps individuals should contact English heritage to see what can be done ?
I know something of the situation with this great church closing (been going to Mass there for over 30 years...!). What I find so sad is that the local bishop and diocese did not want to keep the place open. The Norbertine priests and brothers still work in the inner city at the mother parish of Manchester. It is a much more beautiful and historic church than Corpus Christi and, I think but don't know for sure, has been saved from closing by the fathers going there. They are a great community and need our support. Corpus has closed but the Norbertines are alive and kicking, thank God!
The Norbertines are great and I'm sure that their decision was not one taken easily.
I don't know much about the diocese these days, but when Bishop Kelly (now archbishop) rulled the roost, nothing was sacred. Do you remember the 'Holy Name Problem'. At one stag, I seem to remember, Opus Dei were interested in taking it over and the Jesuits (were supposed to have) actively promoted a Muslim group (who wanted to turn it into a mosque) because of their animosity towards OD. I think the Oratorians were a compromise in the end, but thank God they were!
Perhaps anonymous (2) prefers Neo-Gothic to 'Neo-Romanesque', so his/her comments on beauty are relative. I'm surprised that he/she thinks the 'basilica' less historic than the church the Norbertines have moved into (albeit temporarily it seems). No, it is NOT the bishop's fault that the church could not be saved. This is unjust, and the state of the delapidation of the basilica was highly exaggerated. If the Norbertines don't want it, then perhaps the group campaigning to save it -in touch with English Heritage - can provide it with a future befitting its status. The Norbertines lost three good men recently, so I hope the Norbertines can rebuild their religious life.
Being a religious house, Anonymous 2 is correct to point out the diocese's input is not the same as with a parish church.
Anonymous 2, I would be interested to hear your take on the situation. Do you think there is an element of expediency on the part of the Norbertines?
Well, the Norbertines did offer the whole place to the Bishop - you can't really expect them to do any more than that. To say the delapidation was "exaggerated" is nonsense. The place had leaks everywhere and the south wall was shocking. Also I used to go to daily Mass when I could (not often I'd have to admit) and there were never more than a handful there. Instead of knocking our priests, us in the pews need to own up to not using our great heritage. As for a group trying to keep it open, good luck to them but Bishop Brain closed the parish and the church is now closed. Perhaps energy would be better spent in supporting the many hisotric church's in manchester that are still open (the Hidden gem, the Holy Name, St. Chad's). As for the Norbertines loosing three good men, I don't know about that but they seem to be bursting at the seems as it is. Besides, alot of my mates from school days went off to train to be priests (I was at Xaverian when it WAS xaverian proper!) and most of them left.
I've always been impressed with the Norbertine priests and they've always been there when I've needed them so I guess it makes me biased but I think they're great.
(anonymous 2 - actually anonymous 1)
Handing the place over for closure was not the solution. Why are English heritage and others taking an interest I wonder ? mmm... Yes, good luck if something positive can come from it all. I agree : knocking our priests - and bishops - can be a terrible pastime; but speaking frankly, and truthfully, without rose-tinted glasses, is called for by the Gospel, and constructive debate. Good luck to the Norbertines too.
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