Warsaw, Poland, Dec 24, 2007 / 10:54 am
A Polish church that has been under construction since 1791 and is now intended to celebrate the Polish-born Pope John Paul II is facing further delays in the form of financial difficulties, the Associated Press reports.
“If we fail to raise enough money, we will be forced to suspend the building work,” said Father Janusz Bodzon, vice president of a church foundation overseeing the project.
The Catholic Church in Poland has already spent 50 million zlotys(US$20 million) on the massive basilica project, and construction is about 60 percent completed. However, an additional 50 million zlotys is needed.
The church plans to launch a new fundraising campaign in the spring, primarily aimed at young Poles who have a special affection for the late Pope.