Protestant/secular service in a Catholic church building

[plainsongflower]

Hi,

My school holds its graduation ceremony in the local Catholic church building. I don’t remember whether the sanctuary light was on or not when I was there for orientation because I knew next to nothing about Catholicism at the time. I do remember at orientation that people walked up and down the steps in front of (what I now know to be) the tabernacle and the altar repeatedly without bowing or showing any acknowledgement at all and just in general it seems quite disrespectful to me to hold a secular service like a welcome service or graduation in a Church building. I don’t think the Protestants running the show mean any harm but I wonder why the Church would allow their building to be used in such a way? and what, if anything, I should/could do about it? Should I not attend graduation? Should I attend and simply act as I normally would (bow when passing in front of the tabernacle, etc.)? Acts of reparation? Any advice/opinions welcome.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Hi,

My school holds its graduation ceremony in the local Catholic church building. I don’t remember whether the sanctuary light was on or not when I was there for orientation because I knew next to nothing about Catholicism at the time. I do remember at orientation that people walked up and down the steps in front of (what I now know to be) the tabernacle and the altar repeatedly without bowing or showing any acknowledgement at all and just in general it seems quite disrespectful to me to hold a secular service like a welcome service or graduation in a Church building. I don’t think the Protestants running the show mean any harm but I wonder why the Church would allow their building to be used in such a way? and what, if anything, I should/could do about it? Should I not attend graduation? Should I attend and simply act as I normally would (bow when passing in front of the tabernacle, etc.)? Acts of reparation? Any advice/opinions welcome.

Thank you in advance.

I think you should be grateful that a church is being used for an occasion like this. Around here, people have successfully sued to STOP school graduations bring held in churches - in the most recent case, it wasn’t even a Catholic Church, but a Baptist church building that had been used by the school for decades. That ol’ “separation of church and state.”

 

[plainsongflower]

True, thank you.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

I have been to hundreds of concerts around the world held in churches. True, they tend to be music that is mostly classical or choral, but people attending treat the church as they would any other concert hall, and act accordingly.

 

[seagal]

When a secular event is being held inside a church the pastor would make sure the tabernacle would be empty, for exactly the reason that concerns you, so as not to have disrespect shown.

 

[Allegra]

I have performed in several concerts that were held in parishes. My senior recital was also held at a local parish. I think that it can be done respectfully, but I think that whoever is in charge should block off the altar area and the tabernacle so none of the performers put their cases, folders, water bottles, or coats there as if it was a regular table. And of course, the tabernacle should be empty.

 

[plainsongflower]

When a secular event is being held inside a church the pastor would make sure the tabernacle would be empty, for exactly the reason that concerns you, so as not to have disrespect shown.

Thank you, that’s reassuring.