CATHEDRAL BY THE FREEWAY; ARCHDIOCESE PLANS BEACON OF FAITH.Byline: Deborah Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer Beside the Hollywood Freeway, the beacon from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is a cathedral church of the United States in the City of Los Angeles in California. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles[1] and seat of its archbishop, Roger Cardinal Mahony. will be unmistakable: a six-story cross framed in luminous alabaster alabaster, fine-grained, massive, translucent variety of gypsum, a hydrous calcium sulfate. It is pure white or streaked with reddish brown. Alabaster, like all other forms of gypsum, forms by the evaporation of bedded deposits that are precipitated mainly from , beaming Christ's symbol to 42 million drivers a year. ``Whether you ever get off the freeway and go into it, we think the cathedral will draw people to God's presence,'' said Cardinal Roger Mahony His Eminence Roger Michael Cardinal Mahony (born February 27, 1936) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as the fourth Archbishop of Los Angeles, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1991. , leader of the nation's largest Roman Catholic archdiocese and spiritual architect of the new cathedral. Our Lady of the Angels, scheduled for dedication in 2001, will replace the earthquake-damaged St. Vibiana's Cathedral as the religious center for 4 million Catholics in the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. area. Poised above the third-busiest freeway in California and designed to seat more worshippers than any cathedral in the country, Our Lady of the Angels will be a world-class religious monument befitting be·fit·ting adj. Appropriate; suitable; proper. be·fit  ting·ly adv.Adj. 1. a city of Los Angeles' stature, church leaders say. ``I think it has a lot to do with the city's identity,'' said archdiocese spokesman the Rev. Gregory Coiro. ``I think the cathedral represents the loftier aspirations of the people of the city.'' Not everyone agrees. Critics view the $163 million edifice as an emblem of Los Angeles' renowned excess. ``Large, triumphal, monumental churches, while they give grand aesthetics, are inappropriate to the worship of a Christ that was born in a feeding trough and died on a cross,'' said Jeff Dietrich, a member of the Catholic Worker, a religious community devoted to feeding the poor that has protested the cathedral project. They also question the appropriateness of its elite list of top-dollar donors, suspecting the cathedral is more of a public works public works pl.n. Construction projects, such as highways or dams, financed by public funds and constructed by a government for the benefit or use of the general public. Noun 1. project than a spiritual undertaking. Among the top contributors are movie executive Roy Disney Roy Disney can refer to two different people:
``It reads like a chamber of commerce for downtown development,'' Dietrich said. Mahony said the archdiocese makes no secret that Our Lady of the Angels is joining an effort to revive downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or , as the cathedral will benefit Angelenos of all faiths. ``We think this will be a very exciting space for the community in general,'' Mahony said. Moreover, he said, the archdiocese spends millions of dollars in community services and no donations were accepted if they come at the expense of other charitable giving. Spiritual magnificence Located on 5.6 acres at Grand and Temple avenues near the freeway, the cathedral will be surrounded by a landscaped plaza, meditation garden, children's hedgerow hedgerow Fence or boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees. Hedgerows enclose or separate fields, protect the soil from wind erosion, and serve to keep cattle and other livestock enclosed. maze, pools and fountains. Along the rectory on the site's east side will be a conference center, cafe, California history museum and services for the needy. Towering over all will be the cathedral, with a ceiling soaring above 100 feet and massive, bronze doors opening 20 feet high and 30 feet wide. It is planned to stand for 500 years, Mahony said, and it will hold more than 3,000 people at maximum capacity. The cathedral's sheer size poses the architectural challenge of infusing warmth into immensity im·men·si·ty n. pl. im·men·si·ties 1. The quality or state of being immense. 2. Something immense: "the empty immensity of earth, sky, and water" . Spanish architect Jose Rafael Moneo José Rafael Moneo Vallés (born May 9, 1937) is a Spanish architect. He was born in Tudela, Spain, and won the Pritzker Prize for architecture in 1996. He studied at the ETSAM, Technical University of Madrid (UPM) from which he received his architectural degree in 1961. answered that with earthy materials and ethereal lighting. Diffuse sunlight will stream through panes of Spanish alabaster, in mosaics of white, brown and tawny stone. Mahony said the slanted, recessed windows are designed to borrow from the original California missions, as do the adobe-colored concrete walls. Panels of alabaster will also surround the 60-foot-high altar cross, backlighting back·light n. A type of spotlight, used in photography, that illuminates a subject from behind. tr.v. back·light·ed or back·lit , back·light·ing, back·lights the symbol at night. ``Inside, the effect of natural light and atmosphere, wood pews and ceilings, is to create a warm and friendly space,'' Mahony said. Other features aim toward a hands-on liturgy. A baptismal font will be large enough to allow full immersion of adults, in addition to the simple sprinkling of holy water. In a reversal of traditional church design, the entryway opens onto the altar side of the building. ``Most people when they come into a church would come into the back row, and then too many of them will sit in the back row,'' Mahony said. ``So we faked them out by bringing them in the front.'' Rows of pews will be placed on either side of the altar instead of just in front of it. ``Everybody is closer to the altar, as well as to each other, so it's a community rather than a sense of isolation,'' Mahony said. On the northern wall, a mural will depict the history of the Catholic faith in Los Angeles, from the early missions to the dedication of Our Lady of the Angels. The painting will end midway down the wall, leaving space for future church leaders to document the next 500 years. Controversy abounds Our Lady of the Angels came to life after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake The Northridge earthquake occurred on January 17, 1994 at 4:31 AM Pacific Standard Time in the city of Los Angeles, California. The earthquake had a "strong" moment magnitude of 6. struck a death blow to St. Vibiana's, on 2nd Street downtown. Since then, it has been besieged be·siege tr.v. be·sieged, be·sieg·ing, be·sieg·es 1. To surround with hostile forces. 2. To crowd around; hem in. 3. by opposition. A year after the quake after the quake (神の子どもたちはみな踊る , Mahony announced that the archdiocese would raze raze also rase tr.v. razed also rased, raz·ing also ras·ing, raz·es also ras·es 1. To level to the ground; demolish. See Synonyms at ruin. 2. To scrape or shave off. 3. the unsafe St. Vibiana's and build a larger cathedral. In June 1996, the church began dismantling the bell tower of St. Vibiana's but the Los Angeles Conservancy The Los Angeles Conservancy is the preeminent historic preservation organization in Los Angeles, California. It works to document, rescue and revitalize historic buildings, places and neighborhoods in the city. sued, arguing the building was not damaged beyond repair. Superior Court Judge Robert H. O'Brien ordered the archdiocese to conduct an environmental review and obtain demolition permits. Coiro said the archdiocese is still completing the environmental impact report and has put the property up for sale. Last December, the Shoshone Gabrieleno Nation and Spirit of the Sage Council sued the archdiocese, arguing that a skull and arm bone found during the 1950s proved the site housed Native American remains. O'Brien ruled in June the Archdiocese could start building. The two groups appealed, but could not halt construction. Weather permitting, Mahony said, dedication is expected to take place by Sept. 4, 2001, in time for the feast of Our Lady of the Angels. A justifiable expense? Critics complain that the cathedral's celestial dimensions reflect worldly extravagance not in keeping with the Christian mission. At the October groundbreaking, protesters commandeered a skip loader before Mahony could scoop the first shovel of earth. ``If we had anything near the amount of money that was being spent on this cathedral - if anything near that was going to the poor - I would be standing with the cardinal today, helping with the groundbreaking,'' Dietrich said. Megan Mayer, a member of St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church in Sherman Oaks, said found the protest ``disgraceful'' but struggles with the cathedral's cost. ``If there's that much expendable income out there we should probably be doing more for the poor of our city,'' said Mayer, 34. Maria Hernandez, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Canoga Park, agreed: ``It's a lot of money. I think we lack many things here. And it seems to me the schools are lacking, too.'' Mahony noted the annual contributions of hundreds of other Catholic organizations, hospitals and individual churches total more than the cost of the cathedral, Mahony estimated. ``I would say that across the archdiocese it would amount to a minimum of $250 million a year,'' he said. The archdiocese provided $7.5 million to the neediest Catholic schools and churches. And its Education Foundation gives $4 million to $5 million in tuitions for lower-income students. Catholic Charities, an organization affiliated with the church, provides close to $20 million annually in food, counseling, homeless aid, immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. assistance, and services to youth and the elderly. ``We will not take a gift from anybody if by giving to the cathedral they would stop giving to other causes,'' Mahony said. Claudia Peters, director of corporate communications Corporate communications is the process of facilitating information and knowledge exchanges with internal and key external groups and individuals that have a direct relationship with an enterprise. for The Walt Disney Co., which contributed to the cathedral's public plaza, said the company also donates to Catholic Charities and other community organizations. ``We're very supportive of projects that serve the needs of our community,'' Peters said. ``And churches often focus on these kinds of programs.'' Some clergy and parishioners said the cathedral will aid other causes. ``I think that by having a church like that there over the years, more money will be spent on the poor,'' said the Rev. Robert McNamara of St. John Eudes in Chatsworth. Added Barbara Welsh, 50, a member of St. Francis De Sales
Saint Francis de Sales (in French, St François de Sales : ``I'm thrilled that they're doing it,'' said ``I think the thing is, build it and they will come.'' CATHEDRAL DONORS These are among the major benefactors identified by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Founding Donors: Dan Murphy Foundation - $25 million The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation - $10 million Lead Donors - $1 million or more Mr. and Mrs. Albert Centofante Larry and Ralph Cimmarusti families The William M. Close family Mr. and Mrs. Roy E. Disney Roy Edward Disney, KCSG, (born January 10, 1930) was a longtime senior executive for The Walt Disney Company, which his father Roy Oliver Disney and his uncle Walt founded. Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation June and Paul Ebensteiner The William R. and Virginia Hayden Foundation Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Dolores Dolores (or Delores) was a common given name (until the 1960s in the USA); it is cognate with the English word "dolorous" (meaning sorrowful) and equivalent in meaning. and Bob Hope and family Suzanne Mayer Mr. and Mrs. Cyril C. Nigg Mr. and Mrs. C. Peter Nigg Mayor Richard J. Riordan Frank and Maxine Smith Family Trust Mr. and Mrs. L. Owne Traynor Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred L. Von der Ahe Major Donors - $100,000 to $1 million: Mario E. Antonini The Anschutz Foundation Joseph P. Brown and Lydia T. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Busch Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Campion campion: see pink. campion Any of the ornamental rock-garden or border plants that make up the genus Silene, of the pink family, consisting of about 500 species of herbaceous plants found throughout the world. Nadine and Alex Chaves and family Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Conn Walt Disney Co. The Bernard C. Dohn family Edison International Mr. and Mrs. William Ferry Monsignor Terrance Fleming In memory of Ann M. and Thomas H. Fleming, by their family Mr. and Mrs. Philip M. Hawley Mr. and Mrs. Stanley D. Hayden The J. Michael Hennigan family Mr. and Mrs. George D. Jagels The Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Foundation Fiorenza Courtright Lucas Cardinal Roger M. Mahony Mr. and Mrs. Leonis C. Malburg Ed and Zee Marzec Mr. and Mrs. William S. Mortensen Muller Family Foundation Mr. Peter Mullin The O'Connell family Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth O. Olsen Jr. Laura and Bill Siart Times-Mirror Foundation Von der Ahe Foundation Kim McLane Wardlaw and William M. Wardlaw Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wayne Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Weber Willison Family Foundation Special Donors - $10,000 to $100,000: Margaret Kaiser Auth Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Baker Robert C. Baker (December 29, 1921 - March 13, 2006), was the inventor of the chicken nugget, and a member of the American Poultry Hall of Fame. Education Mr. and Mrs. Jose A. Debasa E. and J. DiLoreto Family Trust Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Dunn Mrs. Stephen D. Gavin Home Savings of America Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Hotaling, in memory of Henry O'Melveny Duque Chief Justice Malcolm Lucas, retired Allen Lund Co. Mr. and Mrs. James G. MacFarlane MacFarlane or Macfarlane is a surname shared by:
Molly Munger and Steve English Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pernecky Honorable Mariana R. Pfaelzer Mr. and Mrs. Phillip M. & Eloise Ramos Jr.- Philatron International Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Romano Frederick J. Ruopp The Kenneth N. Russak Family Mr. and Mrs. William E. Simon William Edward Simon (November 27 1927 – June 3 2000) was a businessman, a Secretary of Treasury of the U.S. for three years, and a philanthropist. He became the 63rd Secretary of the Treasury on May 8 1974, during the Nixon administration. Jr. Charles and Carol Smith Mr. and Mrs. Smulders-Grasso CAPTION(S): 3 Photos, Box PHOTO (1 -- Color) Cardinal Roger Mahony admires a model of Our Lady of the Angels, being built downtown. (2) Los Angeles Archbishop Roger Mahony uses a model to show how Our Lady of the Angels cathedral will look from the Hollywood Freeway. (3) The construction site for the city's new cathedral, Our Lady of the Angels, overlooks the Hollywood Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. Michael Owen Baker/Daily News BOX: Cathedral Donors (see text) |
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