Editor’s note: Pray Tell recently published M. Francis Mannion’s “Viewpoint” on megachurches, which made reference to Christ Cathedral in the diocese of Orange, California. Pray Tell then published Msgr. Arthur A. Holquin’s response to Mannion. Pray Tell received the letter below from Bishop Vann, which is followed by Msgr. Mannion’s response to Msgr. Holquin and Bishop Vann.
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Dear Father Ruff,
Thank you very much for posting Msgr. Holquin’s response to Msgr. Mannion’s writing on Catholic “megachurches” in which he made a frankly unnecessary and uncalled for “swipe” at the now Christ Cathedral in his posting. I would like to reflect further, as the Diocesan Bishop, on a couple of points after Msgr. Holquin’s thoughtful response.
First of all, I was very disappointed with Msgr. Mannion’s dismissive comments about Christ Cathedral. One may have a differing point of view as these renderings were made public, and as we work to refine them these are certainly discussed and taken into consideration. But in any scholarly reflection such derisive and evidently uninformed comments about the Cathedral are out of place. Moreover, I have supported the Liturgical Institute for many years, when I was first in Springfield and later in Fort Worth. Thus, Msgr. Mannion’s comments, as the first director of the Institute, do not reflect well on the ongoing work of the Institute. In fact, such comments are not helpful at all for all of the individuals whose dedication, time, talent and indeed treasure are involved in this historic moment in our local Church. These comments gave little indication that he had seen any of our videos or proposed renderings of the interior. Certainly what is proposed for the interior of this iconic modern structure is well situated within the entire 2000 years of the ongoing life, teaching and worship of the Church, hearkening back to the early Roman Basilicas and monastic prayer and liturgy.
Secondly, I would like to add a word about “Catholic megachurches” as if they were an entirely new phenomenon. Perhaps it may be a new approach for other parts of the life of the Church in the United States, but certainly here in the Diocese of Orange this has been an ongoing part of our life of Faith since the Diocese of Orange was first founded in l976. Nothing new here! It is hard work, but thanks to the dedication of many priests, religious and staff and those involved in ministry, it does work. And not only works, but in fact is a blessing and a fact of daily life here. I have found this first hand as I visit our parishes regularly! These “mega” parishes here involve sometimes two, three and four ethnic communities, all with their faith and liturgical/devotional way of prayer. The parish priests, religious and staff members here minister with great faith, and I might add joy (“Gaudium Evangelii”!) as they seek to respond to the faith and pastoral needs of each ethnic group within the parish. They also find occasions to bring all together, such as in these days of December with Our Lady of Guadalupe, Los Posadas and Simbang Gabi. Msgr. Holquin well described the former St. Callistus and now Christ Cathedral parish with the nearly 12,000 people each weekend. I could also add St. Boniface and St. Anthony Claret in Anaheim, St. Columban in Garden Grove, St. Edward’s in Dana Point, Our Lady of Guadalupe at 3rd and Grand in Santa Ana, and the list could go on!
Thank you very much for considering this response and for all that you do. I hope that you have a very blessed season of Advent, one of the most beautiful and profound, I believe, in the Church’s Liturgical year.
Very respectfully yours,
+Kevin W. Vann
Bishop of Orange
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Msgr. M. Francis Mannion replies:
I sincerely regret that Bishop Vann and Msgr. Holquin were offended by my essay on megachurches and my one line comment on Christ Cathedral. I try to be diplomatic and irenic in my “Viewpoint” columns. I think I am for the most part successful.
With respect, I have to say that I simply do nor say in my Pray Tell essay what Bishop Vann and Msgr. Holquin attribute to me. Thus I am puzzled by the vehemence of their responses.
Their critique centers on two points: First, my apparent suggestion that Christ Cathedral will smother local parishes. Msgr. Holquin offers reassurance on this point: “In the acquisition of the former Crystal Cathedral. there was no attempt to amalgamate the neighboring parishes into one cathedral mega-parish.” Nowhere, simply nowhere in my essay do I suggest that this is the plan in Orange. And even if this were the plan. it would not necessarily be a bad thing. Remember, my essay was about the positive values of megachurches. I have the impression that the matter of the relationship between Christ cathedral and the surrounding parishes is a sore point among some pastors and people in Orange. Perhaps I put my hand into a hornet’s nest! If there is a sensitivity on this point, then I can see why Bishop Vann and Msgr. Holquin would want to defend their plans. But they don’t have to defend them to me since I did not deal with the local situation at all.
Second, Bishop Vann and Msgr. Holquin do not like my comment about the architectural style of Christ Cathedral. Bishop Vann says that I make “dismissive comments about Christ Cathedral.” Msgr. Holquin say, “In all candor, I was both surprised and disappointed at [Msgr. Mannion’s] disparaging comment.” My stated position was that if Catholic magachurches have a future, they should not follow a “modernist, functionalist” style. Nothing disparaging about that. Modern architectural theory proposes that modernist functionalism is here to stay; it is evident in virtually all Catholic churches built in the twentieth century.
I would like to see the discussion about traditionalist and modernist styles of church building continue. Dialogue is healthy and advances the cause of the Church’s liturgy. Unfortunately, my brief comment was too brief to be useful. But, it was never meant to be “dismissive” or disparaging.” That is not my style.
I would respectfully invite Bishop Vann and Msgr. Holquin to read my essay again. I think that they will find that it does not state what they think it does. Indeed, for the most part, it states the opposite.
Incidentally, I have great confidence in the choice of Bro. William Woeger as liturgical consultant. He has done excellent work around the country in the area of Church architecture.
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