A Belfast church that had to be closed two years ago because of serious structural problems is to be demolished. The Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Noel Treanor, has said that he has no option but to pull down the Church of the Resurrection on the Cavehill Road.
But the bishop pledged the site will be retained for the use of the parish after the building itself is razed.
At a public meeting, Dr Treanor told parishioners that the Holy Family parish needed to “cut our coat according to our cloth.
The parish is currently repaying a debt in the order of £2 million and cannot afford to take on a further £2 million debt, thus leaving a potential debt of at least £4 million,” he pointed out.
The Church of the Resurrection was shut after serious problems with the roof were discovered.
The history of structural problems began even as the Church of the Resurrection was being built.
The foundation stone, which was blessed by Pope John Paul during his Irish visit in 1979, was badly damaged by a bomb.
Parish priest Fr Seán Emerson said: “We had no other option but to close.”
Last November, Holy Family parishioners, who have had to worship in the parish’s other churches since the closure, were asked whether they thought the church should be abandoned or rebuilt. They were also asked if they would be in a position to donate money if they wanted the church reconstructed.
Some of the replies suggested that an oratory be built on the site.
Since the church closed, parishioners have been using the other local churches - Holy Family and St Thérèse of Lisieux.
Bishop Treanor said this was not a major problem: “The distances aren't insurmountable. From the resources of our faith and charity, as a community of Christ's followers, we must see to it that voluntary effort and practical service to our neighbour will ensure that any Catholics in the Cavehill area for whom travel is difficult are brought to church for Mass and worship.”
Demolition of the church is expected to take six months and future use of the site will be re-examined in due course.
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