Catholic cathedral shop selling non Catholic books

[Polak]

There is a famous Catholic cathedral not too far from me, that I have been to a few times (I can name it if people feel it is necessary to give a more complete reply, later).

It has a Catholic shop beside it that sells various books, dvds, cards, statues and other accessories. It really does have a wide range of things on offer.

I noticed while browsing around in the book section though, that they also have books by the likes of televangelist ministers Joyce Meyer and Joel Olsteen.

So I was wondering if these books should have a place in a Catholic shop. I wasn’t completely comfortable with the books being there, because those people teach things contrary to the Catholic faith.

What do you think? Do you think it shouldn’t be there, or it’s still Christianity so it’s harmless.

 

[Dorothy]

A Catholic bookstore should have great Catholic books!

 

[7_Sorrows]

Well, if it is a famous cathedral, they probably have many non-Catholics who tour the cathedral and visit the gift shop.

Personally, I am not in favor of seeing books by Joyce Meyer and Joel Olsteen
in a Catholic gift store. It sends a confusing message in my opinion - not only to
protestants but also Catholics who might not know their faith as well as they
should.

@Polak

 

[Mark121359]

There is a famous Catholic cathedral not too far from me

Yeah, which one if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I’m not keen on non-Catholic books in a Catholic shop, but as 7_Sorrows said, it is highly likely that if it’s a “famous Cathedral”, it’s drawing visitors who are not Catholic and maybe not even very religious. Also, while I haven’t read the specific books in question, televangelists with a wide audience like Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen don’t tend to get that deep into doctrine; a lot of their books, especially the ones I’ve seen by Osteen, are fluffy non-denominational self-help stuff. So, while like I said I’m not a fan of it, I don’t think it’s doing great harm.

 

[TK421]

Non-Catholic books have a way of finding themselves in parish libraries.

@7_Sorrows
I agree. The books aren’t necessarily harmful in themselves and they might have a lot of great information but I don’t like it because a person might pick up a copy of Olsteen, get lots of useful advice, and then form a personalized spirituality from it… and that’s not Catholicism.

 

[1ke]

Is the store part of the cathedral, i.e. the cathedral bookstore, or is it a store next to the cathedral that is independently owned?

If it’s the former, speak to the shop manager and/or the pastor of the cathedral about their merchandise choices.

If it’s a private business in proximity to the cathedral, not much you can do about it. In our city there is a family run Catholic bookstore across the street from the cathedral. It sells primarily Catholic items but also things that aren’t Catholic. Many “church goods” stores sell and supply to not only Catholics but other denominations as well. They couldn’t stay in business if they only sold Catholic items.

 

[Polak]

Is the store part of the cathedral, i.e. the cathedral bookstore, or is it a store next to the cathedral that is independently owned?

If it’s the former, speak to the shop manager and/or the pastor of the cathedral about their merchandise choices.

If it’s a private business in proximity to the cathedral, not much you can do about it. In our city there is a family run Catholic bookstore across the street from the cathedral. It sells primarily Catholic items but also things that aren’t Catholic. Many “church goods” stores sell and supply to not only Catholics but other denominations as well. They couldn’t stay in business if they only sold Catholic items.

It’s the former, part of the cathedral, and says all proceeds go to support the cathedral.

I just had a look at their website and in the ‘about us’ section it says

The Westminster Cathedral Gift Shop is situated inside the Cathedral itself. There are two main objectives for us.

Firstly as a gift shop for a very popular venue which attracts visitors from all over the world.

Secondly, as the Cathedral is a fully functioning parish church, to serve as a repository for the parishioners where they can source the requisite devotional artefacts to enable and enhance the practice of their faith.

So their answer to me would probably be similar to what some posters have already stated above. It attracts many visitors as serves as a gift shop for them, with some non Catholic items too.

@Mark121359

Westminster Cathedral