Criticism Of Church Building Costs

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32306, 26 May 1970, Page 7

Criticism Of Church Building Costs

Strong opposition to current expenditure on church buildings for the Roman Catholic Church was expressed in a remit on finances dealt with recently by the administration subcommittee of the Diocesan Laity Commission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch.

The sub-committee’s report was presented to the second meeting of the commission in Christchurch on Sunday. The report said that most of the remits presented by parishes dealing with the cost of church buildings, were critical of the cost of many new buildings. “Generally there was a call for more functional designs and particularly for erection: of multi-purpose buildings,”) it said. “Some regions noted the opinion that expenditure on buildings was to the detriment of needs in other areas, particularly social welfare. The commission approved the sub-committee’s recommendation that the policy for church buildings, with particular reference to purpose, design and cost, be investigated by a body including substantial representation of suitably qualified lay people It also agreed to a recommendation for more recogni-

tion of the wishes of all parish laity before such parishes are committed to substantial expenditure for new buildings and the ensuing financial indebtedness.