Orange, Calif., Aug 17, 2013 / 05:01 am
Under the motto "from Crystal to Christocentric," southern California's famous Crystal Cathedral is undergoing a renovation that the local bishop calls "a thorough Christological transformation."
The world's great cathedrals "are designed to bring the light of God to people's daily life; the cathedral is a place that draws, welcomes, calls, and sends forth at the same time," said Bishop Kevin W. Vann of the Diocese of Orange.
"This is the goal of the Christ Cathedral: being at the same time a place for the exercise of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy," he remarked Aug. 2 at the Napa Institute Conference – the theme of which was "Building a Catholic Culture."
The Orange diocese purchased the 3,000-seat Crystal Cathedral in February of 2012 from the Protestant church which founded it. The architectural landmark is made from over 10,000 panes of glass, and its interior must be renovated to make it suitable for Catholic worship.