The Catholic Diocese of Phoenix is considering switching the
designation of its cathedral to a more centrally located church,
possibly St. Mary's Basilica in downtown Phoenix.
The historic church is being discussed as a leading option to become
the cathedral because of its proximity to diocese offices, its history
and the belief among visitors and newcomers that it is, in fact, the
central church of the diocese, according to church officials.
It would
have to be expanded by more than 1,000 seats to be suitable for a
cathedral that can host major diocesan events.
When the Diocese of Phoenix was created on Dec. 2, 1969, Pope Paul VI
designated SS. Simon and Jude as the diocesan cathedral. The parish was
founded in the 1950s, and SS. Simon and Jude was one of the larger
churches in the diocese at the time.
Now, more than 40 years later, it appears the diocese may have
outgrown the 1,200-seat cathedral at 27th and Maryland avenues in
Phoenix.
Diocesan spokesman Rob DeFrancesco said discussions about the
location of the cathedral began a year ago out of continued concerns
that SS. Simon and Jude is not centrally located.
As the priests and bishops talked, they focused on locations near Central Avenue and the Metro light-rail line.
"The discussion led to a suggestion that the diocese study
the feasibility of adopting St. Mary's Basilica as its cathedral,"
DeFrancesco said.
"St. Mary's is a landmark that is often pictured as
the image of the Diocese of Phoenix. It has significant history in the
growth of the Catholic Church in Phoenix, and it is centrally located in
the heart of the city next to the Diocesan Pastoral Center" along
Monroe Street between Third and Fourth streets.
The basilica seats 850 people, so DeFrancesco said the option "would
require an expansion of St. Mary's Basilica to accommodate additional
seating" while maintaining its appearance and historical significance.
An expansion likely would have the goal of more than doubling the basilica's size, to 2,000 seats or more.
The diocese is setting aside money in next year's budget to conduct a structural feasibility study of the basilica.
St. Mary's already is home to numerous diocese functions. The annual
Red Mass, for lawmakers and lawyers, is held there.
Recently, the
diocese held a Mass to kick off the activities surrounding the Manhattan
Declaration, a statement of support for traditional marriage, sanctity
of life and religious freedom, at the basilica.
A cathedral is the principal church of a diocese, home to the
symbolic throne from which the bishop leads the faithful. In many
dioceses, it is one of the largest and grandest churches available, and
often is newly built to serve as a cathedral.
A basilica, by contrast, is an honorary title given to a church which
often has special local significance. In the case of St. Mary's, it was
designated in 1985, two years before Pope John Paul II visited Phoenix.
A move to St. Mary's could encounter numerous hurdles. First, the
role of the Franciscans, the order of friars who have led St. Mary's for
a century, would have to be resolved.
Normally, diocesan priests would
lead the cathedral church.
Second, the cost could be prohibitive. Although not as potentially
costly as a brand new cathedral - new cathedrals in Los Angeles and
Oakland cost close to $200 million - the price tag is likely to be high.
Finally, the effort would require several permits from historic preservation agencies. The basilica is on both state and national registers of historic places.
City officials declined comment on the possible move because no requests have come before the city.
The Downtown Phoenix Partnership, which promotes the downtown area,
welcomed the possibility of an expanded cathedral that could host major
church events downtown.
"That would be great if it happens," said David Roderique, president and CEO of the partnership.
Matt Millea, a parishioner at St. Mary's for 20 years, said he fears
any effort to expand the church would change the diverse and highly educated nature of the parish, which marks its 130th year on Friday.
The makeup of the parish has changed before.
The building itself, dedicated in 1915, was part of a larger parish
community for many years, until the elementary school was closed in
1994. Also on the grounds were parish offices and a convent, which had
been used for more than 25 years as diocese offices.
The earliest
version of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center also was in the
two-block area.
All that changed as the buildings were torn down for construction of
the new Diocesan Pastoral Center, which opened in 2003. Between the
center and the church is an open courtyard with tree-lined paths and
religious statues.
Space exists on the eastern and western sides of St. Mary's for
expansion. To the west is a building housing church offices and
Franciscan residences, and to the east is the courtyard. But most of the
talk has focused on expanding the church northward, where a small
parking lot takes up space between the church and Van Buren Street.
Millea, an attorney who has worked with parish officials and Phoenix
on methods to protect the church building during construction of the
Phoenix Convention Center, said he thinks changes to the building are
unlikely.
"The building is 19th century-technology," he said. "It seems
unlikely anyone would cut into it. I don't see how you could avoid
destroying the historical integrity of the building."
John Garcia, a parishioner at SS. Simon and Jude for 12 years, said he would regret losing the status of being the cathedral.
He said the church is home to much of the Phoenix Diocese's history,
including numerous ordinations of priests and the installation of all
four Phoenix bishops.
"It's a matter of pride," Garcia said.
He said he understands the desire to move the cathedral.
"Even now, for larger celebrations, this church is not adequate," he
said, pointing to the ordination of the Rev. Eduardo Nevares as
auxiliary bishop in the 2,000-seat St. Thomas Aquinas in Avondale.