After a Century, the Largest $ Catholic $ Church in North America is Complete

[Skwim]

After 100 years of construction, thousands of worshippers Friday (Dec. 8) witnessed the blessing of 24 tons of Venetian glass that embellish the dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Called the “Trinity Dome,” the glass mosaic is the final architectural element of the church, a shrine to Mary which sits next to the Catholic University of America and is visited by nearly 1 million people a year.
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People can do whatever they want to support whatever religion they wish, but to spend millions upon millions and millions of dollars for a place of worship instead of being a bit more frugal and helping those in need strikes me as having their priorities screwed up.

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[The Emperor of Mankind]

That looks absolutely beautiful both inside and out (the top view, at least) but I completely agree. With the rising poverty in America and the fact the RCC is continually being discovered to still protect paedophile priests, the amount they've spent here is unreasonable in the extreme.

 

[danieldemol]

I think it’s beautiful, and the jobs it would have created would have been good as well

 

[danieldemol]

People can do whatever they want to support whatever religion they wish, but to spend millions upon millions and millions of dollars for a place of worship instead of being a bit more frugal and helping those in need strikes me as having their priorities screwed up.

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As an atheist do you give money to the needy only or could giving them jobs benefit them and provide them dignity as well?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

a strange mixture of architectural styles. quite brutish in places. but the dome is very well done.
the catholic church has always supported artists of all kinds for the glory of God.
Greats, like Michael Angelo depended on it in their time. as do artists today.

 

[Skwim]

As an atheist do you give money to the needy only or could giving them jobs benefit them and provide them dignity as well?

If I was an atheist I might answer, but in as much as I'm not, I can't.

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[danieldemol]

If I was an atheist I might answer, but in as much as I'm not, I can't.

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Go on then, tell me in summary about your worldview.

 

[Jumi]

Go on then, tell me in summary about your worldview.

I think he's agnostic and I don't think his beliefs or lack of them has to do with his critique in this thread.

 

[David T]

After 100 years of construction, thousands of worshippers Friday (Dec. 8) witnessed the blessing of 24 tons of Venetian glass that embellish the dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Called the “Trinity Dome,” the glass mosaic is the final architectural element of the church, a shrine to Mary which sits next to the Catholic University of America and is visited by nearly 1 million people a year.
source

​

People can do whatever they want to support whatever religion they wish, but to spend millions upon millions and millions of dollars for a place of worship instead of being a bit more frugal and helping those in need strikes me as having their priorities screwed up.

.

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well its complex. Certainly Saint Francis wasn't like that. I probably am appalled by it for completely different reasons than most. It's like disneyland Castle. It is first and foremost it's garbage mindless architecture. A kind of track repetitive track home mcmansion style. . Second it does zero in context to community. This is not a Community built building at all. No, idiot knuckle heads like me built it. I just mock it on all levels.

Now if you want a really great Catholic Church building look up grotto, portland oregon. I attend that alot. It's a 62 acre structure with some buildings on it! Ha now that is a pretty good building it has trees, shrubs, etc growing inside of it. This building you are looking at dead dead dead its complete $$€(¥¢ nonsense.

 

[metis]

IMO, it should be left up to the denomination to determine what kind of church they might want.

Also, what can be easily lost in the debate is that the Catholic Church is the world's largest charitable organization in terms of money spent per year, and it's not just spent on Catholics.

 

[Skwim]

a strange mixture of architectural styles. quite brutish in places. but the dome is very well done.
the catholic church has always supported artists of all kinds for the glory of God.
Greats, like Michael Angelo depended on it in their time. as do artists today.

Are you implying that supporting the artists who designed of the church justifies the the huge amount of money spent on the whole project?

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[Revoltingest]

Meh.....

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

After 100 years of construction, thousands of worshippers Friday (Dec. 8) witnessed the blessing of 24 tons of Venetian glass that embellish the dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Called the “Trinity Dome,” the glass mosaic is the final architectural element of the church, a shrine to Mary which sits next to the Catholic University of America and is visited by nearly 1 million people a year.
source

​

People can do whatever they want to support whatever religion they wish, but to spend millions upon millions and millions of dollars for a place of worship instead of being a bit more frugal and helping those in need strikes me as having their priorities screwed up.

.

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It will make a beautiful event venue after it's sold off at auction to pay settlements to victims of church abuse.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

After 100 years of construction, thousands of worshippers Friday (Dec. 8) witnessed the blessing of 24 tons of Venetian glass that embellish the dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Called the “Trinity Dome,” the glass mosaic is the final architectural element of the church, a shrine to Mary which sits next to the Catholic University of America and is visited by nearly 1 million people a year.
source

​

People can do whatever they want to support whatever religion they wish, but to spend millions upon millions and millions of dollars for a place of worship instead of being a bit more frugal and helping those in need strikes me as having their priorities screwed up.

.

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It's not an either/or proposition.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Are you implying that supporting the artists who designed of the church justifies the the huge amount of money spent on the whole project?

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How much money was spent on professional sports this year?

 

[Skwim]

IMO, it should be left up to the denomination to determine what kind of church they might want.

Yup.

Also, what can be easily lost in the debate is that the Catholic Church is the world's largest charitable organization in terms of money spent per year, and it's not just spent on Catholics.

I don't think so.

3 Largest Charities in the World
July 31, 2017


Number 1: United Way

Sitting in the top spot for the largest charity in the world is the United Way. This nonprofit organization has impacted over 50,000,000 lives in over 40 countries and territories around the world. With over 2,800,000 volunteers, the United Way is making a huge impact in communities all over.


Number 2: Task Force for Global Health

Based in Decatur, Georgia, the Task Force for Global Health is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that is dedicated to creating a healthier world. They have offices worldwide, including Ethiopia and Guatemala. This NGO is comprised of 136 employees, is in 154 countries, and has 8 programs.


Number 3: Feeding America

The problem of hunger in our country may be more prevalent than you think. Children and adults face hunger in communities all across the nation – and Feeding America is committed to changing. With more than 46 million people turning to Feeding America for food every year, they are looking for more and more support.
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And certainly not in the United States

FORBES: Largest U.S. Charities for 2016

1. United Way Worldwide, $3.708 billion.

2. Task Force for Global Health, $3.154 billion.

3. Feeding America, $2.150 billion.

4. Salvation Army, $1,904 billion.

5. YMCA of the USA, $1.202 billion.

6. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, $1.181 billion

7. Food for the Poor, $1.156 billion.

8. Boys & Girls Club of America, $923 million.

9. Catholic Charities USA, $921 million.

10. Goodwill Industries International, $902 million.
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[Skwim]

It's not an either/or proposition.

Sure it is. Either more money will be designated for charitable work Or it won't.

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[Twilight Hue]

After 100 years of construction, thousands of worshippers Friday (Dec. 8) witnessed the blessing of 24 tons of Venetian glass that embellish the dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Called the “Trinity Dome,” the glass mosaic is the final architectural element of the church, a shrine to Mary which sits next to the Catholic University of America and is visited by nearly 1 million people a year.
source

​

People can do whatever they want to support whatever religion they wish, but to spend millions upon millions and millions of dollars for a place of worship instead of being a bit more frugal and helping those in need strikes me as having their priorities screwed up.

.

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As long as taxpayers are not involved in the expense, I feel people have the right to spend their own money as they see fit.

I get on how extravagance could be better spent, but I would guess people associate ompulance with success and prosperity.

The same type of model for prosperity Gospel mega churches, refitted for Catholic purposes.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

IMO, it should be left up to the denomination to determine what kind of church they might want.

... and up to all of us to judge them according to their actions.

Also, what can be easily lost in the debate is that the Catholic Church is the world's largest charitable organization in terms of money spent per year, and it's not just spent on Catholics.

What are you basing this on? I can't even find statistics on this, since the Catholic Church tends to compartmentalize itself: every diocese and Catholic-affiliated organization is set up as a legally distinct entity (mainly to limit liability if one of them gets sued, AFAICT).

 

[Skwim]

As long as taxpayers are not involved in the expense, I feel people have the right to spend their own money as they see fit.

Absolutely.

I get on how extravagance could be better spent, but I would guess people associate ompulance with success and prosperity.

I see it as satiating the ego more than anything.

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