Why hide the Tabernacle?

[rider]

I recently went to a Mass in another town and was quite horrified to realize that there was no Tabernacle in the church.I asked about it after Mass and was told that it was kept in the basement in a small chapel.I would like to know if this is an allowed practice;it wasn’t because there was no room in the main part of the church as it was quite spacious.

 

[CRW]

I recently went to a Mass in another town and was quite horrified to realize that there was no Tabernacle in the church.I asked about it after Mass and was told that it was kept in the basement in a small chapel.I would like to know if this is an allowed practice;it wasn’t because there was no room in the main part of the church as it was quite spacious.

The General Instructions for the Roman Missal: Number 315 (partial quote): “Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the diocesan bishop.
a) either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration
b) or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s private adoration and prayer and organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful”

More information: Sacred Congregation of Rites, Instruction Eucharisticum mysterium, On the Worship of the Eucharist - google it.