Cathedral proposals will upset many people
I and members of the committee travelled throughout the diocese of Cloyne when the proposal to remove the altar rails was announced. We collected thousands of signatures from people who wished to leave the altar rails as they are.
There is no article in the constitution of the liturgy which specifically states that the altar rails must be removed.
In fact, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which was published in the bishop's own leaflet on Proposal for the Re-Ordering of the Sanctuary of St Colman's Cathedral, states: "The main altar should be freestanding so that the ministers can easily walk around it and Mass can be celebrated facing the people. It should be in a central position which draws the attention of the whole congregation."
This is the position of the altar at present and has been since the requirements of Vatican II. A proposal by the Friends of St Colman's Cathedral to have a marble, free-standing altar in the position of the present timber one has been rejected by Bishop Magee.
I implore our bishop to reconsider.
Edward Lalor
46 Rushbrooke Manor
Cobh
Co Cork
I DISAGREE with Richard A Walsh (Irish Examiner letters, August 15) in his contention that the proposed changes at St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh will further enhance the beautiful building.
While inspired by Vatican II, the changes are not mandatory. (Why haven't all the historic churches in Rome been reordered?)
As one of his parishioners, I respect Bishop Magee, who has presided over a wonderful programme of restoration at the cathedral. The final phase - the controversial reordering - will involve extending the sanctuary a quarter of the way down the nave. But the building was not designed to accommodate such a structure and it is going to present some problems, such as moving a large section of mosaic flooring.
Pugin would be spinning in his grave at the suggestion that this reflects his original intentions!
One aspect of the re-planned sanctuary that upsets many people is the cathedra, or bishop's chair, which is in a dominant position overlooking the congregation while the tabernacle is banished to the background. This is surely a reversal of priorities.
The cathedral is a heritage-listed building, the point of which is supposed to be preservation not alteration.
Margaret Baker
Carrigaloe
Cobh
Co Cork
