Worshipers abandon Rome's lavish churches

[Timidity]

The situation has been confounding the Diocese of Rome: The magnificent churches of the city center serve more as museums than houses of prayer, while many among the burgeoning throngs of faithful on the outskirts of town are forced to worship in garages, former grocery stores or prefab buildings.

“The problem in Rome is the high concentration of churches. But you can’t ship them out. They’re historical,” Romanin said.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Rome is struggling to provide for the spiritual needs of the rapidly growing neighborhoods on the outskirts of Rome.
Bishop Ernesto Mandara, who is in charge of building new churches within the diocese, says huge amounts of church funds go into the upkeep of the glorious churches of the city center at the expense of the suburban parishes.

 

[Chickamauga]

I think the key sentence in the article is this:

One reason is that there is a higher concentration of regular churchgoers among the poor Italians and eastern European immigrants in the suburbs than among the more affluent Romans in the heart of the city. Much of the center also has been taken over by commercial spaces and government buildings.

So, is “white flight” to the suburbs now a thing of the past? Perhaps in Rome. Certainly not anywhere else I know of.

 

[jc-servant]

I think the key sentence in the article is this: So, is “white flight” to the suburbs now a thing of the past? Perhaps in Rome. Certainly not anywhere else I know of.

I don’t know where you live, but many US cities are finding young professionals moving back toward the city centers to alleviate long commutes and to be near arts and entertainment. Dallas has tons of renovations going on downtown with upscale condos popping up everywhere. I prefer the burbs for living because that is where I grew up, but I can see the appeal every afternoon while I’m fighting the traffic. I imagine many people in European cities have figured out the same thing and may be moving back into the city centers.

 

[UltimaForsan]

I think the key sentence in the article is this: So, is “white flight” to the suburbs now a thing of the past? Perhaps in Rome. Certainly not anywhere else I know of.

I hope I am correctly recalling my human geography lessons, but I think this has usually been the European model-at least in France, where the wealthy live in the city and the poor in the suburbs.

 

[chevalier]

Here, suburbs would be associated with snobs or at least reasonably wealthy people, while living in the city not really. However, city centre locations are horribly pricy. Then again, I don’t know the prices in trendy suburbs for sure. Guess it depends on how trendy a location is. City quarters outside the strict centre are pretty much the normal urban location to live in. Not like they don’t build high-standard fenced out appartment houses on the outskirts, sometimes quite close to the traditionally normal locations. Hmm… Well… It’s too messy for my poor head.

 

[Lance]

Rome like most US cities is a mix of well kept areas where the ‘old money’ lives, areas where old homes and mansions have been restored/refurbished into condos and the YUPIES live, middle class areas and slums. When we were in Italy in 2001 there were hardly any people, other than tourist, in the churches anywhere. I doubt there were over 100 people at mass on Sunday in my wife’s home town of Siculiana (population about 5000). The church there was built in 1450 and in America would be a national treasure but in Italy it is just another old church.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

If I were the king I’d have the grand old Churches in the urban centers and the smaller week day meeting houses in the burbs. On Sunday I’d encourage all of my subjects to have mass or divine liturgy in the grand old churches. Of course I’d also provide public transportation to the Churches and adequate parking.

Sadly, Im not the king.

CDL

 

[mary_bobo]

Rome like most US cities is a mix of well kept areas where the ‘old money’ lives, areas where old homes and mansions have been restored/refurbished into condos and the YUPIES live, middle class areas and slums. When we were in Italy in 2001 there were hardly any people, other than tourist, in the churches anywhere. I doubt there were over 100 people at mass on Sunday in my wife’s home town of Siculiana (population about 5000). The church there was built in 1450 and in America would be a national treasure but in Italy it is just another old church.

I think that is sad–that we cannot appreciate the artistry of the old churches. To me they represent a more reverent time in our Church history. I can remember being in the small mission church in St. Augustine. It makes you wonder how those that built this church lived, how they arrived here, etc.

 

[CathCentrist]

I don’t know where you live, but many US cities are finding young professionals moving back toward the city centers to alleviate long commutes and to be near arts and entertainment. Dallas has tons of renovations going on downtown with upscale condos popping up everywhere. I prefer the burbs for living because that is where I grew up, but I can see the appeal every afternoon while I’m fighting the traffic. I imagine many people in European cities have figured out the same thing and may be moving back into the city centers.

I am in the inner city and I am 1 year away from “White Flight” to the border of a suburb where I can still catch a bus if I have to. It is only slightly mixed as opposed to the 70/30 hispanic to white ratio I have seen happen to my area. Illegals and their refusal to assimulate and learn English, along with gangs and graffiti is why I am leaving

 

[southernCONVERT]

I can remember being in the small mission church in St. Augustine.

I just took a job at a Church in St Augustine, are you talking about St Benedictv the Moor?

 

[chicago]

I doubt there were over 100 people at mass on Sunday in my wife’s home town of Siculiana (population about 5000). The church there was built in 1450 and in America would be a national treasure but in Italy it is just another old church.

In America, the Church probably would have been knocked down, being considered “no longer necessary”, “Inefficient”, and “standing in the way of progress”. The diocese which owned it would then sell out the property it once stood upon (or lease the air rights long term) for too little money. Then they’d squander the cash away or mismanage the income very quickly. Perhaps it would go forgotten, get shifted elsewhere, or maybe embezzled.

At least in Italy they have enough sense to let the old Church stand for the future.

 

[Pandora]

In America, the Church probably would have been knocked down, being considered “no longer necessary”, “Inefficient”, and “standing in the way of progress”. The diocese which owned it would then sell out the property it once stood upon (or lease the air rights long term) for too little money. Then they’d squander the cash away or mismanage the income very quickly. Perhaps it would go forgotten, get shifted elsewhere, or maybe embezzled.

At least in Italy they have enough sense to let the old Church stand for the future.

You are right Chicago in America they would and do knock down old Churches as tradition is a dirty word. My beautiful and historic Keely Church will meet the recking ball soon. No one in Boston seems to care. holytrinitygerman.org/Holy_Week_2005/5_tridmass.jpg
I will be in Rome for Thanksgiving and will have to do the rounds of all the old lavish Churches. We hope to get to a High Mass.

 

[rwoehmke]

With the influx of Moslems into Italy maybe they could decommission some of them and sell them for mosques.

 

[hoosiertoo]

In the city where I work there are 3 churches within walking distance of each other downtown and another within a mile or so - maybe not walking distance but still close.

They are lovely churches.

There are no Catholic churches anywhere else in the county, so participation in parish life is limited to people with the time and wherewithal to commute.

It doesn’t matter how beautiful or old the building is. If the parishioners aren’t being properly served, sell it or convert it to a museum and go to where the people are.

Other denominations build where the people are. It is a sad fact that kids in my CCD class are more likely to attend youth group events in neighborhood churches rather than in their parish church.

I live 13 miles from my parish church. The county’s 3 largest towns (and homes of three of the four school corporations) are all about the same distance from the county seat. The social life of the kids - and their families - revolve around the school, not the more distant parish.