Locked church doors?

[cecilia97]

(Not sure if this is the right forum, so feel free to move if necessary!)

Last night after a very rough day at work and in my personal life, I felt a very strong urge to pray in church. Around 5:30pm, I drove to my church, and all doors were locked and all lights were off in the building. This really surprised me, and I’m not sure if I’m just being naive, but I guess I just assumed that the church doors would be open all the time for any “24/7” praying needs. Would anyone else have expected this as well, or what do you do if you want to pray at church and the building is closed? Thanks.

Catholic parishes that I have worshiped at now and in the past have had vandalism, theft, and desecration. We’d like to think that church buildings are safe places, but they are not. Our adoration chapel has to be locked 24/7 because there have been threats against the Blessed Sacrament.

It’s sad, but it’s a reality that churches must protect themselves. I’m sorry you couldn’t visit the church to pray. But remember that you can pray and seek comfort from God anyplace, anytime.

 

[Inwe86]

The church where I work used to leave their doors open late, until someone came in one afternoon and tried to commit arson. Now they lock their doors at Noon, and only open their doors for services. It’s usually always security reasons. It’s ridiculous that a church isn’t safe anymore

 

[Captain_Trout]

So, I found this forum in my investigation to answer the very question of locked church doors. I’m sorry…but none of these reasons are good enough. I don’t mean that as an offense to those who posted them, but the thing is, vandalism is not a good reason to lock the church. Theft is not a good reason to lock the church. Bums urinating on the pews is not a good reason to lock the church. And if the state wants to apply codes to wether or not the church is allowed to lock or unlock their doors, the church needs to fight those codes. All of these concerns are material concerns in a house of spirituality. if these places are to be of God, then they need to be of God…and The God I love so dearly doesn’t give two craps about stuff no matter how sacred we deem it compared to His sheep.

I fail to understand why this is even an issue. Stuff vs people in the eyes of God…this is a no brainier.

 

[TimothyH]

So, I found this forum in my investigation to answer the very question of locked church doors. I’m sorry…but none of these reasons are good enough. I don’t mean that as an offense to those who posted them, but the thing is, vandalism is not a good reason to lock the church. Theft is not a good reason to lock the church. Bums urinating on the pews is not a good reason to lock the church. And if the state wants to apply codes to wether or not the church is allowed to lock or unlock their doors, the church needs to fight those codes. All of these concerns are material concerns in a house of spirituality. if these places are to be of God, then they need to be of God…and The God I love so dearly doesn’t give two craps about stuff no matter how sacred we deem it compared to His sheep.

I fail to understand why this is even an issue. Stuff vs people in the eyes of God…this is a no brainier.

Maybe we should just let the bums urinate on the Blessed Sacrament?

It’s the House of God, a sacred place. It deserves to be protected and not profaned.

The Catholic Church is the most generous organization in the world. We have nothing to be ashamed of by locking the door so that the Blessed Sacrament or the priest’s chalice doesn’t get carried off and turned into a bong pipe by college students.

God is inside of you. St. Therese of Availia said that the fact that God was inside of her was one of the most important thing she had ever learned, that she needed only to turn inward to speak to God, because she herself was the living home of the Holy Spirit. I could fall down in front of any Christian who is in a state of sanctifying grace and worship the Holy Spirit who lives inside that person.

It’s nice to pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and to pray in a sacred space dedicated to God, but it is not a sin to protect God’s house. And before we talk about stuff vs people, we should examine ourselves, to see if we are giving our fair share to those same bums and homeless people we claim to care about.

-Tim-

 

[Captain_Trout]

Respectfully, I disagree with much of this.

First of all, the church wouldn’t have to worry about theft if they didn’t somehow feel that in order to worship a guy who preached an absolute sort of minimalism they needed 24 karat gold cups and the like.

Really though, its not just about charity. Its about what that building is. What it stands for. WHO it stands for. What good are the ideals of the church if they are held with fear? If they fail to serve readily the people the church stands to champion in the glory of God. Next, think about what makes these things blessed. WHO blesses them and by what authority, and think about what that stands for.

Yes, each person is a house of God. But then, if thats all there was to the whole thing then why have churches in the first place? What are they for then? Why the ritual? Why are people called by the Spirit to these houses? And please don’t forget, that people are in fact called to these places, because of what they stand for, because church is meant as a way for people to grow closer to God. The One doing the calling I’ve found seldom has consideration for our schedules. Its something I love about Him.

If you keep the doors unlocked, yes, you will have theft, especially if you, once again and for whatever reason, decided to honor an idealistic hobo with gold. Things will, along the way, get broken, maybe even pissed on. Maybe college kids will end up getting high with a chalice ( which, lets be honest, would be a good bit of ingenuity ). But cold people will have a refuge. Desperate people will find Jesus in looking for sanctuary. The confused will be comforted by the warm glow of candle lit offerings as they seek guidance. Those that want to be in the house of the Lord in a quiet way will find themselves there.

GOOD things will happen. And I just can’t believe that the bad things that could happen outweigh them in anyway.

I’m with you when you say the church has a right to protect itself, but more than that it has an obligation to bring people closer to God. 24/7. and just because the church does a million other wonderful things in that respect, DOES NOT mean that it can ever afford to stop pushing those boundaries.

And I really do mean to say this with all respect. if im coming off as edgy i really hope you accept my apology, I’m having a little trouble articulating right now because I haven’t slept in a good long while.

And sir, as far as stuff vs. people…I will go there all day everyday. I don’t want to go into my deeds or my considerations on “our fair share”, all that I’ll say is that I’m a Christian. Therefor it is my duty, especially as a Christian in america, to get into stuff vs people every chance I get with special consideration of the poor’s fair share. Thats who we are as a people. We follow a hobo. I take that to heart, so much so that i even refuse to vote reublican. ;p

I am positive there is a far more concise and accurate way to express all of this, but I will once again ask you to forgive my sleep deprived rambling sort of way.

Love,
Captain Trout

 

[Paul_theApostle]

I get very annoyed at Closed churches also ,especially in the daytime,but here we have many many parishes that are open all day ,so thank God for that

One church that is closed used to be open until someone set the place on fire and burnt part of the front of the church inside

another church used to get the donation money boxes broken into

but nevermind as long as theyre not all closed ,there are plenty that are open here

 

[cecilia97]

So, I found this forum in my investigation to answer the very question of locked church doors. I’m sorry…but none of these reasons are good enough. I don’t mean that as an offense to those who posted them, but the thing is, vandalism is not a good reason to lock the church. Theft is not a good reason to lock the church. Bums urinating on the pews is not a good reason to lock the church. And if the state wants to apply codes to wether or not the church is allowed to lock or unlock their doors, the church needs to fight those codes. **All of these concerns are material concerns in a house of spirituality. **if these places are to be of God, then they need to be of God…and The God I love so dearly doesn’t give two craps about stuff no matter how sacred we deem it compared to His sheep.

I fail to understand why this is even an issue. Stuff vs people in the eyes of God…this is a no brainier.

Oh, no no no no no. We have had a huge SPIRITUAL concern at our Adoration chapel. More than once, someone has attempted to desecrate and/or STEAL the monstrance containing Our Lord. This is a big deal.

 

[cecilia97]

Respectfully, I disagree with much of this.

**First of all, the church wouldn’t have to worry about theft if they didn’t somehow feel that in order to worship a guy who preached an absolute sort of minimalism they needed 24 karat gold cups and the like. **

Really though, its not just about charity. Its about what that building is. What it stands for. WHO it stands for. What good are the ideals of the church if they are held with fear? If they fail to serve readily the people the church stands to champion in the glory of God. Next, think about what makes these things blessed. WHO blesses them and by what authority, and think about what that stands for.

Yes, each person is a house of God. But then, if thats all there was to the whole thing then why have churches in the first place? What are they for then? Why the ritual? Why are people called by the Spirit to these houses? And please don’t forget, that people are in fact called to these places, because of what they stand for, because church is meant as a way for people to grow closer to God. The One doing the calling I’ve found seldom has consideration for our schedules. Its something I love about Him.

If you keep the doors unlocked, yes, you will have theft, especially if you, once again and for whatever reason, decided to honor an idealistic hobo with gold. Things will, along the way, get broken, maybe even pissed on. Maybe college kids will end up getting high with a chalice ( which, lets be honest, would be a good bit of ingenuity ). But cold people will have a refuge. Desperate people will find Jesus in looking for sanctuary. The confused will be comforted by the warm glow of candle lit offerings as they seek guidance. Those that want to be in the house of the Lord in a quiet way will find themselves there.

GOOD things will happen. And I just can’t believe that the bad things that could happen outweigh them in anyway.

I’m with you when you say the church has a right to protect itself, but more than that it has an obligation to bring people closer to God. 24/7. and just because the church does a million other wonderful things in that respect, DOES NOT mean that it can ever afford to stop pushing those boundaries.

And I really do mean to say this with all respect. if im coming off as edgy i really hope you accept my apology, I’m having a little trouble articulating right now because I haven’t slept in a good long while.

And sir, as far as stuff vs. people…I will go there all day everyday. I don’t want to go into my deeds or my considerations on “our fair share”, all that I’ll say is that I’m a Christian. Therefor it is my duty, especially as a Christian in america, to get into stuff vs people every chance I get with special consideration of the poor’s fair share. Thats who we are as a people. We follow a hobo. I take that to heart, so much so that i even refuse to vote reublican. ;p

I am positive there is a far more concise and accurate way to express all of this, but I will once again ask you to forgive my sleep deprived rambling sort of way.

Love,
Captain Trout

Dear Captain, please stop and think about this. I’m afraid this understanding of the point of chalices, tabernacles, etc, is deeply flawed. Priests do not have gold chalices and patens to glorify themselves. Most priests purchase one chalice throughout their life (or family members purchase it for them at much expense and sacrifice upon their ordination). The chalice does not glorify the priest. It is special and sacred because of what it CONTAINS, the precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Should we put the Blood of Christ into a plastic dixie cup? The precious materials show our respect for the Eucharist and offer a teaching moment for our children and visitors to the Mass. “Why is the cup gold, Mommy?” “Because we love God enough to give Him our best, honey.”

There is MUCH precedent for this in the Old and New Testaments. God commanded the Israelites to build the Tabernacle out of their most precious materials. Judas complained when the woman poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus and He rebuked Judas: “The poor you will have with you always, but you will not always have me.”

The Catholic Church is the single largest charitable institution in the world. The source of that charity is Christ. It’s proper for us to honor Him.

May God bless you richly,
cecilia

 

[Hopemercy]

Dear Captain, please stop and think about this. I’m afraid this understanding of the point of chalices, tabernacles, etc, is deeply flawed. Priests do not have gold chalices and patens to glorify themselves. Most priests purchase one chalice throughout their life (or family members purchase it for them at much expense and sacrifice upon their ordination). The chalice does not glorify the priest. It is special and sacred because of what it CONTAINS, the precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Should we put the Blood of Christ into a plastic dixie cup? The precious materials show our respect for the Eucharist and offer a teaching moment for our children and visitors to the Mass. **“Why is the cup gold, Mommy?” “Because we love God enough to give Him our best, honey.”**There is MUCH precedent for this in the Old and New Testaments. God commanded the Israelites to build the Tabernacle out of their most precious materials. Judas complained when the woman poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus and He rebuked Judas: “The poor you will have with you always, but you will not always have me.”

**The Catholic Church is the single largest charitable institution in the world. The source of that charity is Christ. It’s proper for us to honor Him.**May God bless you richly,
cecilia

My turn to disagree here. If we love God then we will use all He gives us to care for others. who die daily for lack of food. So yes a plastic cup would not offend Jesus at all.

And please! The old boast cuts no ice. The Church is the richest organisation in the world and could eradicate child mortality without even noticing the expenditure.
The glory of God is not in rich vestments but in a world where no child goes hungry or dies of a preventible disease.

That millions each year are spent here in Ireland on dead stones ie lavish church buildings is a sin .

re the original topic… so many cannot get to Church so we have a corner, a space, set apart for Prayer. I am writing as often in bed and in my line of vision is a corner table; a crucifix, a Breviary. a candle, flowers.

Jesus is everywhere simply. Alleluia// He will still be everywhere when the stones melt and the earth fades.

 

[cecilia97]

My turn to disagree here. If we love God then we will use all He gives us to care for others. who die daily for lack of food. So yes a plastic cup would not offend Jesus at all.

And please! The old boast cuts no ice. The Church is the richest organisation in the world and could eradicate child mortality without even noticing the expenditure.
The glory of God is not in rich vestments but in a world where no child goes hungry or dies of a preventible disease.

That millions each year are spent here in Ireland on dead stones ie lavish church buildings is a sin .

re the original topic… so many cannot get to Church so we have a corner, a space, set apart for Prayer. I am writing as often in bed and in my line of vision is a corner table; a crucifix, a Breviary. a candle, flowers.

Jesus is everywhere simply. Alleluia// He will still be everywhere when the stones melt and the earth fades.

This is untrue. The Vatican operates at a deficit. The Church gives away more than it keeps.

 

[Padraig1972]

This thread just makes me sad. What is happening to our world? What is happening to people?

The parish i attend has their church open from 9am to 7pm (normally) and close the doors after the evening mass. Open 24/7? No, that will never happen in protestantic Norway. So i count myself lucky to be able to go to church as much as 10 hours during a day.

But things are different in US and Canada compared to a small country like Norway.

 

[saribee]

There are two parishes within walking distance of my apartment. One closes at 3 (before I get off from work) and the other has adoration 6:00-7:00 and then closes, so I can make it to that if I rush. I wish I could spend time in my parish. I love the building and since it is the place where God really smacked me in the face to decide to convert, it is a special place for me. I understand hwy churches have to close so early, but it is such a shame

 

[Padraig1972]

There are two parishes within walking distance of my apartment. One closes at 3 (before I get off from work) and the other has adoration 6:00-7:00 and then closes, so I can make it to that if I rush. I wish I could spend time in my parish. I love the building and since it is the place where God really smacked me in the face to decide to convert, it is a special place for me. I understand hwy churches have to close so early, but it is such a shame

Yes, it is such a shame.

 

[asia53]

My parish is really blessed. Our church is about a half a mile from the main road, open space surrounding it, approximately 5 acres. Our parish is 150 years old, the church is 100 years old, and we have our own cemetery. Until 10 years ago, we had a Benedictine Abbey with several nuns in residence. You have to intentionally turn off the main road, and drive to the church.

The church is open 24/7. Other than someone jimmying the hinges of the moneybox on the Lighthouse CD display for the money, the windows of the Parish Hall being egged—we’ve pretty much been left alone. After the egging incident, the county Sheriffs ( some are parishioners) make irregular drive-thrus of the property.

I live in the US, Colorado. We consider ourselves very blessed.

 

[system]

Fear of material loss is the reason. When I was young The Church had no such fear. It’s quite sad that people who truly believe are living in fear of our material world.

Then again, maybe the leadership does not TRULY BELIEVE.

I had my son with me…who claims he’s an atheist and I attempted to enter 3 different so called Catholic churches…and with the locked doors you lost him. He laughed at me for telling him that The Church Doors were always open.

He is brilliant…special and you lost him.

 

[PatriceA]

Fear of material loss is the reason. When I was young The Church had no such fear. It’s quite sad that people who truly believe are living in fear of our material world.

Then again, maybe the leadership does not TRULY BELIEVE.

I had my son with me…who claims he’s an atheist and I attempted to enter 3 different so called Catholic churches…and with the locked doors you lost him. He laughed at me for telling him that The Church Doors were always open.

He is brilliant…special and you lost him.

Well when the actual Church building is vandalized, stripped of some of its copper piping, or the tabernacle damaged in some way, the parish has to make the hard decision to lock the doors to prevent people that want to cause harm to the actual building. It has nothing to do with the leadership not “TRULY BELIEVING”. It has everything to do with protecting Jesus in the tabernacle and keeping the insurance fees down and not creating a financial burden on the parishoners so the parish as a whole can stay open. We lock our doors to our home 24/7 because its the safest thing to do, that has nothing to do with a lack of faith and all about protecting our loved ones. Why wouldn’t a parish do the same for Jesus?

 

[cecilia97]

Fear of material loss is the reason. When I was young The Church had no such fear. It’s quite sad that people who truly believe are living in fear of our material world.

Then again, maybe the leadership does not TRULY BELIEVE.

I had my son with me…who claims he’s an atheist and I attempted to enter 3 different so called Catholic churches…and with the locked doors you lost him. He laughed at me for telling him that The Church Doors were always open.

He is brilliant…special and you lost him.

I’m sorry that happened to you and your son but, with all due respect, locked church building doors are not a reason for anyone to turn his back on Truth. Church doors have been locked for a long time. Maybe it was not best to promise him that they would be unlocked.

Again…people have come into my parish and tried to STEAL THE EUCHARIST. People have also come into churches (Catholic and non-Catholic) in our area thinking they could ABDUCT A CHILD from the building when no one was looking because we tend to trust those we meet in church buildings.

This is a big deal and it’s not just about finances or materialism.

 

[LilyM]

So Jesus was wrong to drive out of the Temple all those money hangers who were defiling it with their sinful activity? He should’ve said ‘no, protecting God’s house is totally unimportant’.

OF COURSE we should protect the house of God with any means necessary. I’m shocked at the idea that anyone would think His temples unworthy of it.

Above all we need to protect the Blessed Sacrament by all means necessary. Not the monstrance or any other Church ornament, but the Blessed Sacrament itself, which is far too often taken and desecrated in various ways during these attacks.

Not to mention the personal safety of anyone who might be in or around the church, which is surely an important consideration if the material goods aren’t.

Ideally every church would have a keypad lock so that parishioners could come and go at will for adoration whilst still preserving safety, but sadly for different reasons it is not always possible.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Fear of material loss is the reason. When I was young The Church had no such fear. It’s quite sad that people who truly believe are living in fear of our material world.

Then again, maybe the leadership does not TRULY BELIEVE.

I had my son with me…who claims he’s an atheist and I attempted to enter 3 different so called Catholic churches…and with the locked doors you lost him. He laughed at me for telling him that The Church Doors were always open.

He is brilliant…special and you lost him.

Who is “you?” Was your son ever a Catholic? Ever a Christian? What kind of family worship and catechesis did you undertake?

At both of my parishes, the larger church sanctuary is usually locked, but the chapel is usually open. Most parishes have a smaller chapel, for adoration/confession, that may be open. There is no reason to have the larger sanctuary open and vulnerable to theft.

 

[Lilsheep88]

I know what you mean… Sometimes I just want to pass by and pray, say Hi to Jesus. But I cant because of locked church doors… Especially at 3oclock where I want to do the Divine Mercy Devotion… If that is the case I just park my car outside and stay in the car.

Churches should be accessible to everyone and be open as much as possible. Other wise what is the point of having one? Geeze…