Disposing a consecrated altar

[Sr.M_Magdalene]

Do you know how to dispose of a consecrated altar-in pieces, made of synthetic marble?

 

[puzzleannie]

I understood when we moved our old parish Church building and turned it into a youth center after the new church was built that the altar had to be “unconsecrated” if that is the word, by the bishop, I don’t remember exactly what the rite was, but he also came when a neighboring church was sold to another denomination and did some rite so that the church and its furnishings could be used by someone else. It seems the diocesan person in charge of liturgy and sacraments could advise you.

 

[cameron_lansing]

Sr.M Magdalene:

Do you know how to dispose of a consecrated altar-in pieces, made of synthetic marble?

Sr. M. M.,

First it has to lose its dedication or blessing. The manner of arranging that depends on what juridic person owns it.

In most cases (when the altar is the property of a parish), one would take the matter to the diocesan bishop. As a competent ordinary, he can issue a decree according to the following canons:
*Canon 1238:§1. An altar loses its dedication or blessing according to the norm of can. 1212. §2. Altars, be they fixed or movable, do not lose their dedication or blessing through the reduction of a church or other sacred place to profane uses.

*Canon 1212:Sacred places lose their dedication or blessing if they suffer major destruction or if they have been permanently given over to profane uses, de facto or through a decree of the competent ordinary.

• denotes 1983 translation

However, if this altar is property of an institute of consecrated life, or society of apostolic life, the matter should be related to the competent superior who has ordinary power.

Then you could refer the question of physical deconstruction to a qualified artisan or engineer. It might be useful to approach a diocesan worship office or drawn on the good graces of the USCCB committee on the liturgy for a referral or further counsel.

Deacon John M. Cameron, JCL
Lansing, MI

 

[Sr.M_Magdalene]

puzzleannie:

I understood when we moved our old parish Church building and turned it into a youth center after the new church was built that the altar had to be “unconsecrated” if that is the word, by the bishop, I don’t remember exactly what the rite was, but he also came when a neighboring church was sold to another denomination and did some rite so that the church and its furnishings could be used by someone else. It seems the diocesan person in charge of liturgy and sacraments could advise you.

Thank you so much!!

 

[Sr.M_Magdalene]

cameron_lansing:

Sr. M. M.,

First it has to lose its dedication or blessing. The manner of arranging that depends on what juridic person owns it.

In most cases (when the altar is the property of a parish), one would take the matter to the diocesan bishop. As a competent ordinary, he can issue a decree according to the following canons:
*Canon 1238:§1. An altar loses its dedication or blessing according to the norm of can. 1212. §2. Altars, be they fixed or movable, do not lose their dedication or blessing through the reduction of a church or other sacred place to profane uses.

*Canon 1212:Sacred places lose their dedication or blessing if they suffer major destruction or if they have been permanently given over to profane uses, de facto or through a decree of the competent ordinary.

• denotes 1983 translation

However, if this altar is property of an institute of consecrated life, or society of apostolic life, the matter should be related to the competent superior who has ordinary power.

Then you could refer the question of physical deconstruction to a qualified artisan or engineer. It might be useful to approach a diocesan worship office or drawn on the good graces of the USCCB committee on the liturgy for a referral or further counsel.

Deacon John M. Cameron, JCL
Lansing, MI

Dear Deacon John Cameron: Thank you so much- this is a great response.