The Baroque Era and the Reformation happened. Pope Sixtus V decided that rather than fight the Protestants, he’d reform the Church’s administration and make the cathedrals so gorgeous people would want to stay for the party. Of course, having the biggest bankers in Italy backing you didn’t hurt.
Martin has really nailed this one; the Pope just reamed the Church hierarchy for having, among other things, “spiritual Alzheimer’s”. The cardinals looked very uncomfortable.
I’d suggest that the people still want to glorify God by offering their best—the artists and workers, and the parishioners.
Yes, some pastors and bishops go overboard on the richness of the churches—but remember that often what we see is the result of generations of offerings over centuries.
But, in the end, the finest and most beautiful church building, or the most over-decorated and richest church building is nothing apart from the beauty of the community that uses it.
Miny Boy almost 10 years ago
Sadly people like stuff and think others should too.
ladykat almost 10 years ago
From what I’ve read, politics got involved.
rilla7979 almost 10 years ago
What happened? The love of money.
Jogger2 almost 10 years ago
Part of it is that artists wanted to praise God by giving the best they had.
AliCom almost 10 years ago
Corruption is what happened. The ‘men of God’ are no longer men of God. They are men of greed.
Zen-of-Zinfandel almost 10 years ago
We can live in luxury in our big houses but must we worship God in gymnasiums or glorified barns?
ehtaniguchi almost 10 years ago
The Baroque Era and the Reformation happened. Pope Sixtus V decided that rather than fight the Protestants, he’d reform the Church’s administration and make the cathedrals so gorgeous people would want to stay for the party. Of course, having the biggest bankers in Italy backing you didn’t hurt.
kaffekup almost 10 years ago
Martin has really nailed this one; the Pope just reamed the Church hierarchy for having, among other things, “spiritual Alzheimer’s”. The cardinals looked very uncomfortable.
kaffekup almost 10 years ago
It did say Marrin until autocorrect got it.
bmonk about 9 years ago
I’d suggest that the people still want to glorify God by offering their best—the artists and workers, and the parishioners.
Yes, some pastors and bishops go overboard on the richness of the churches—but remember that often what we see is the result of generations of offerings over centuries.
But, in the end, the finest and most beautiful church building, or the most over-decorated and richest church building is nothing apart from the beauty of the community that uses it.