European churches are currently engaged in an architectural culture war.<\/p>\n
Cardinal Gian\u00c2\u00adfranco Rav\u00c2\u00adasi declared the outbreak of hostilities in 2013 with a sweeping condemnation of many recently built churches in Italy, which, he said, were intended to win design prizes rather than to serve the needs of liturgy. Instead of seeking to create a suitable mood for celebration or meditation, architects have extolled ab\u00c2\u00adstract geometric form. Ig\u00c2\u00adnoring religious needs, they \u201ctend instead to focus on space, lines, light and sound.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Nonsense, replied those pro\u00c2\u00adgressive architects. Con\u00c2\u00adcepts of the appropriate setting for Christian worship have changed enormously through the centuries. Throughout history reactionaries have condemned innovative buildings that over time come to be recognized as epochal masterpieces.<\/p>\n
I can see both sides in this debate, although I do take Ravasi\u2019s point that some recent structures seem deliberately intended to infuriate traditionalists. What is most startling is that such a debate is raging at a time when Europe\u2019s mainstream churches have been so weakened by secularization and when the Roman Catholic Church in particular faces so many challenges. Yet, as in centuries past, these institutions are not only creating many new buildings but serving as key patrons of great architects.<\/p>\n