- Home
- News
- Columnists
- School News
- Real Estate News
- Senior News
- Health News
- Other News:
- • Blackstone
- • Blackstone Valley
- • North County
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Sports
- Buy Photos
- Calendars
- Living
- Celebrations
- Classifieds
- RIJobs.com
- Legal Notices
- Community
- Contact Us
BREEZE ARCHIVES:
8/19/2009 |
Share |
Iconic statue of Jesus taken to pieces
PAWTUCKET - For decades, Sacred Heart Church and its towering image of Jesus have overlooked Route 95 as some of the most visible symbols of the Catholic faith in Rhode Island.
Thousands of parishioners have entered the church, unable to miss a statue more than 20 feet above their heads as they walk through its doors.
Over a two-day period last week, the noted statue of Jesus was taken down, and with it many more of the interior symbols that have made Sacred Heart so recognizable.
The statue's many pieces now lie in a garage on church property, ready to be sold to the highest bidder on e-Bay.
House of Prayer Gethsemane, led by the Rev. Eliseo Nogueras, now owns the Sacred Heart Church building at 38 Park St., at the fork in the road where Park Street meets Fountain Street.
Gethsemane Church, named for the garden where Jesus prayed before his death, is a Pentecostal church with three locations now in Pawtucket and Central Falls, according to its members. Church leaders will likely try to sell one of those locations in the coming months, they said.
Believers in Pentecostal teachings, as well as some other Christian denominations, shun the use of statues in their buildings, according to Alex Ramos, a member of the church who coordinated the take-down of the massive statue last week.
"This is no disrespect to anyone, but we don't need statues," said Ramos. "I have God in my heart and that's enough."
Several passersby last week questioned why the statue was being dismantled, said Ramos, some growing upset as the steel image of Jesus came apart piece by piece and was lowered to the ground.
"They wanted to know what we were doing, why we were doing this," said Ramos after disassembling the statue using a crane and a group of men.
Some in the neighborhood didn't even realize that the building had been sold, said Ramos.
"We want to be respectful of everybody," he said. "We want to make sure everyone is comfortable and we don't mean any disrespect by doing this."
Ramos said the warning against "idols" or "gods of cast metal" as spelled out in Leviticus 19:4 and other passages of Scripture back up his beliefs against having statues. He said leaders at House of Prayer Gethsemane will also seek a buyer for a wooden statue found inside Sacred Heart Church. Other symbols of Catholic faith, including carvings in stone on the walls of the brick building, will be removed and likely sold if they can be, he said.
On Thursday, July 30 at 1:30 p.m., House of Prayer Gethsemane Church officially closed on the sale of the Pawtucket church, a sale made possible when the Diocese of Providence closed Sacred Heart earlier this year. Sacred Heart Pawtucket is now in the process of joining with two other churches, St. Joseph Church and Our Lady of Consolation, to form the new Holy Family Pawtucket.
On July 30, as workers removed a much smaller six-foot granite statue of Jesus and brought it to Sacred Heart Church in Woonsocket, Nogueras told The Breeze he had "no idea" how church leaders would get a much larger statue, one he thought at the time was also made of granite, down.
Cardi Corporation had volunteered to move the smaller of the two statues to Sacred Heart Church in Woonsocket, but moving the larger statue would be a monumental - and expensive - job, said Nogueras.
Nogueras promised at the time that when the larger statue was ready to come down, it would be done with the utmost care, so as not to damage it. He then found out that the statue was made of heavy steel and was bolted together in various locations, meaning moving it would be easier than at first thought.
A phone number given for Nogueras was not in service when called.
The Rev. Ronald Bengford, pastor of Sacred Heart Church Woonsocket, said that the smaller statue now at his church was erected in the late 1960s, and he believed that the larger statue removed last week was put up at around the same time.
A representative for monument company MF Graham and Son on Sabin Street in Pawtucket told The Breeze he's not sure when the larger statue of Jesus was installed. MF Graham was originally commissioned to create the smaller granite statue at Sacred Heart, he said, but the company doesn't work with statues made of steel or other metals.
We’d appreciate readers’ thoughts on this story, especially those that provide greater insight and information to all of us.
Please avoid comments that are obscene, hateful, or otherwise inappropriate. If you post offensive comments, we will delete them as soon as we can. If you see such comments, please report them to:
Marcia Green, Editor-in-Chief, The Breeze newspapers
8/25/2009
Sounds like life here in the Bible Belt! We Catholics are always being criticized for 'worshiping idols, being told that the Virgin Mary was the 'Great Whore', that the pope is evil, etc. Our teenagers are pretty adroit at defending their faith because they get verbally attacked for weraing a crucifix (rather than just a simple cross) on a neck chain. But have no fear about the statue on eBay. The Catholic Churhc is thriving down here are Catholics relocate and leave behind their closed door faith. Our parish in the Dallas suburbs - started in 1986 - has grown to 8,000 families. In 2001 we dedicated a new $14 Million church, and some of the components (bells, statues) were purchased from dismantled older churches up north.
8/22/2009
Bill your right. I hope you agree that this like the habitats for humanity could be classified as "a good work". Surely, volunteers from local catholic parishes could donate their time and equipment needed to aid in the removal. Thereby relieving the new owners of the cost of removal.
8/22/2009
To Philip Saenz: Don't be sorry for speaking the Truth, for the Truth is what sets us free. The Truth will win out always, no matter how much it is denied or hindered. To Catholic Girl: Excellent Post! To all those posting and reading: The Body of Christ is fractured and needs healing and restoration. Pray for unity, for understanding and clarity and for God's Will in every discussion, everywhere people gather for prayer and worship, every Protestant denomination, and in the Catholic Church, the one True Church ("the pillar and bulwark of the Truth" 1 Tim. 3:15)) established by Jesus Christ and source of the Holy Bible (Sacred Scriptures) and Sacred Tradition (that which was not written in the Scriptures but handed down to us through apostolic teaching and succession.) Among those things is the veneration of sacramentals, including statues and holy things which remind of of God and His love for mankind. I believe one day God's family will be restored and everyone will return to the Fullness of the Truth. Jesus did not intend for His children to be divided and broken and warring with each other. God bless all!
8/22/2009
Ed: How about selling them to recoup the money it cost to take it down? How many active Churches can deal with a 20 foot tall, must mount on a wall statue??? Not a big market, even free.
8/22/2009
Actually the potential selling of the consecrated statues should prove to all where the pentecostal spiritual heart truly is for it appears they would rather sell the statues for money so that they can forward their cause then just to offer the statues back to the catholic church. They know that statues are a fundamental tradition for the catholic faithful. So, to me it would be a better show of God's wisdom by the pentecostal leadership to simply offer the statues to the surrounding catholic parishes in this way they avoid controversy or offense. But, the actions by the pentecostal leardership, the comments on this blog and the intent to sell these statues should serve as proof to which God they truly serve...money.
8/22/2009
Johann, Protestants are but entertainment providers??!!! You, my friend, need to learn what the love of Christ, the God-man proven by history to have died and risen again (for your sins and mine), means in your life. Catholics and Protestants alike who have truly experienced his power in their lives can attest that we are not enemies but friends with a common cause and purpose. For those of you who seem to be so angry about this entire story, a good story by the way, why don't you look for the statue on e-bay, pool your resources to buy it, and bolt it back together somewhere else.
8/22/2009
WOW 58 comments!!! This is record for the BREEZE!! At least the passion for God is still alive. EVERYONE remember: "You can destroy My church and I will rebuild it in 3 days"???? It’s not about the building or furnishings....it's about CHRIST. Catholics and Pentecostals relax and be happy. Continue to celebrate Jesus Christ in your own way...just celebrate Jesus Christ. He really has few requirements on how to do it. Take the Lord’s Prayer and it is pretty much covered. Both Churches have that! Your faith in him is your salvation; this is what matters. Both Churches have that too! Some here are going to be very surprised to see many many “religions” up in Heaven. All because of their faith in Christ and his resurrection will get us there. Both Churches have that too! The pearly gates will not be questioning if you has a statue in your church or not! Hello Mark Ambrose! Glad to you see your name! I left Sacred Heart in 1973 from 7th grade. The year the closed it! Wonder what Sister Maria is doing!! What awesome memories! Bruce Lemois
8/22/2009
Johann, You are a very limited, unenlighted, unJesus, lonely person. Pentecost and Protestant Churches are by far very inclusive and welcoming and love Christ. As with the Catholic Church (remember???????) there are some bad (remember?????????) people. Please cast your net of hate elsewhere. My Pentecostal Church will still welcome you. PS: We are opening churches and growing. Hmmmmm God still loves you.
8/22/2009
The leaders of our Church seem to have no brains. It's bad enough they took the action of selling a church, but to sell it to the church's enemies who would surely desecrate it is just outrageous. I noticed that this Penetecostal church seems to be Hispanic. It just goes to show what horrible leadership our clergy provides that such a solid Catholic group as Latinos are defecting to these hokey sects in massive numbers. One comfort is that we know that this Pentecostal church will close eventually as well, as its people move on to more entertaining Christian-themed entertainment providers. That's just how Pentecostalism, and Protestantism in general, works.
8/22/2009
I am sorry that I have to be truthful, but Protestantism is a religion of contradictions that cannot come from the God of Truth and Justice. Strange that we can have statues of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, and no one says anything. But when we have a statue of our Lord and Savior, all hell breaks loose. It's too bad that Rev. Nogueras doesn't know the difference between a statue and an idol. It's also too bad that Rev. Norgueras doesn't understand that he isn't an infallible interpreter of scripture, or that he isn't protected by the Holy Scripture from making mistakes when he interprets scripture. These faults is what makes Protestantism a religion of contradictions that makes the world weep and suffer. I am changing the subject a bit because it is essential. I've studied Islam since 9/11, the Qur'an, Sunnah, Sira, Hadiths, and the Muslim Taqiyya. Islam is far worse than Protestantism. Far worse. For example, nowhere in the Qur'an can you find one lesson on morality, justice and/or love of neighbor. Nowhere! The Qur'an has 109 violent passages that teach death and destruction of human beings. Everything about Islam is the complete opposite of the Ten Commandments. What I am about to say is very important: There are good and bad Muslims. The authentic Muslims, the Muslims who kill and destroy, are practicing their religion of Islam. The truly good Muslims are not practicing their religion of Islam. This is a truth that has deceived many people, including the good Muslims. I know what I'm talking about.
8/22/2009
Bad enough consecrated ground wound up getting sold,but why couldn't arrangements have been made that all interior and exterior sacred artifacts been moved to other Churches ? Worst thing I've seen was the sale of an old ,formerly well established Episcopal Church to islamics,then gutted,cross removed from the spire and turned into a mosque.Everything into dumpsters which were removed daily.
8/21/2009
God does not mind statues, if Mr. Ramos was as familiar with the old testament as he claims, he would know that Moses made a graven image of a serpent on which the people bitten by snakes where to look on to be healed or to carve the holy of holy with cherubim and images, etc.. It is the graven image of false idols and their worship we are forbidden. I have never worshiped a statue though I loving am reminded to lift my heart and mind to God when I see any of my heavenly family depicted in ancient pictures called statues. I also don't worship the image of family when I have a modern picture of them, or Napoleon, or Dante or any statue I see. Complete silliness to make these claims, frankly. And it was truly selfish of the owners not to distribute those statues to the faithful since most were paid for by the militant(here on earth) and donated often in memory of the church suffering(in purgatory) and triumphant(in heaven). We are at war with powers and pricipalities. St. Michael protect us.
8/21/2009
I have often wondered about the use of statues in churches myself although I am catholic, it seems offensive to God as he doesn't want us to make any graven images.
8/21/2009
I totally agree with Catholic Boy.. The blame lies with the diocese. I would have loved a statue, as i understand theres a smaller one still left in the church. As for that larger one on the face of the church, maybe a SACRED HEART monistary or church somewhere would have wanted it.
8/21/2009
I thought GOD gave you a brain so you can think for yourself.
8/21/2009
Let not one of us judge another and ask God what HE wills for each of us to do. Prayer to always be in HIS will and never your own. Remember GOD is always the one in charge.
8/21/2009
Hey, a gentle reminder to all those really upset by these statues being taken down: They are NOT ACTUALLY JESUS. He's probably cool with it.
8/21/2009
Catholic Boy that makes a lot of sense.
8/21/2009
8/21/09 yuk!, I am not the John D. who signed on 8/20/09. These buildings are for celebrating Christ not against Him; these places could be bars or Tavrons or worse; as I said. JED
8/21/2009
Well at least the churches arn't being turned into Tavrons / bars or worse. Sincerely, In Christ Jesus John D.
8/21/2009
This is very sad.......I as a catholic know that we do not idolize the statue.....we pray for our intentions......we show respect when we pass a statue or a cross....because, when we see a Catholic statue we immediately think of God and our faith.....no matter where we are or what we are doing, when we pass a Catholic church or a statue we think of God.....and that is a good thing.......We need to see Jesus up on his cross everyday.....to remember how much he loves us......and to remember to take up our cross and follow him.........
8/21/2009
Mr. Ramos..If God was truly in your heart, you would have no problems with a Symbol of HIS son being displayed. People do not worship statue's, they are simple..may I again state SIMPLE REMINDERS, of the Human man that was Crucified and died for YOU. Do you have pictures of your loved ones hanging around your house, well that is idolatry too. Because you can keep your Mother, father or any other relative in your heart..so why do you need a reminder. Bad news. You will one day regret you decision to destroy a simple symbol of rememberance of the GOD-Man who died for you and your miserable sins as well.I agree with J.Daigle as well.
8/21/2009
It is a very sad thing when people destroy statues of Jesus Christ, The Christ they are suppose to love. But the Diocese should have removed the statues before selling the property. This doesn't say much for the Catholic Diocese.
8/21/2009
I really need to laugh at most of these comments, especially those from all the Roman Catholics, of which I am one. The fault here does not lie with the New owners of the Church, It lies with the Archdiocese. They knowingly sold a Building with a Beautiful Large statue to a Pentecostal Church. What did they expect the new owners to do. They are Pentecostal, they do not use statues in their prayer services. The Archdiocese knew this, they decided that they didn't care enough about the Statue to do anything with it. So if you as a Catholic are angry, than Place your anger in the right direction, at the Archdiocese for basically throwing away a Statue, because that is what they did.
8/21/2009
Exodus Chapter 20:3 Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; and that includes digital photography. so if you want to believe and obey, go all the way!
8/21/2009
Notice all the Catholic haters on here? I know I'm in the right place when the hate spews my way. :)
8/21/2009
Well, since the Pentecostals do not like images or statues, I would suggest they go home and remove all pictures of family members and any other iconic pieces that remind them of others. That is exactly what the statues do in the Catholic Church--remind us of Our Lord, Our Blessed Mother, and the saints. We don't need statues--we like to have them! And we don't just have Jesus in our hearts; we receive His Body and His Blood into our own bodies and souls when we receive Him in the Holy Eucharist. You can't get any closer to Him than that! And how true are they to the Scriptures? How many of those pentecostals have put their wives aside and married other women, thus becoming guilty of adultery and making the 1st wife and the 2nd wife adulterers as well. That, too, is in God Word, not just in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament as well. I have seen Pentecostals treat their pastors with such awe and obedience, sometimes being obedient to them rather than to God, that they will do everything and anything for them. One group I knew sacrificed and worked so much, cleaning the pastor's home every week because he demanded it, and worked to send his family to Hawaii. It seems to me that this could be idolatrous and often is. And if they sell the statues, are they trafficking in idolatry. Isn't that like saying you didn't steal something, you just sold the stolen goods? Just asking... Sacred Heart of Jesus, we trust in Thee!
8/21/2009
Dearest Ron, I was just able to read through a few comments from others and when I came across yours my heart sank. Ron our enemy is of such pride and quilt to only name a few. Ron you are so precious to the one and only GOD. I am not judging you in anyway and this I hope you believe. You are PRECIOUS to GOD Ron!!!!!!!!!!!! Like I tell my children, family, friends and stangers "with your free will let GOD love you up!!!!" HE WILL BE AMAZING FOR YOU!!!!!!!
8/20/2009
Our LOVING LORDS MOST SACRED HEART WILL FOREVER REIGN TRYUMPH no matter how active our enemy is. Remember our enemy (the devil) has already lost. Even though for those of us that our LORDS MOST SACRED HEART means more then earthly words could ever explain, let us not attack our brothers but feel saddened for them and pray that they will be touched by our MOST GRACIOUS LOVING LORDS HEART in knowing HIM to the fullest. Let GOD be AMAZING for you!!!!!!!!!!!
8/20/2009
Leilani truth hurts huh! It wasn't about the building. Like you said yourself Don't knock the Pentecostals for their different interpretation of scripture. Key word Different...does not mean truth.
8/20/2009
Those who interpret the Bible to fit their own beliefs should reflect on their households, and count family pictures that grace the walls therein., Graven Images?
8/20/2009
I would ask the good Reverend. Do you shun pictures of your family? Do you say, "I hold my family in my heart so I don't keep pictures?" The statue of Jesus is a reminder for all who pass the church. It sets the mind on Christ. Why in the world would you be against this? For passers-by who would not otherwise think of him is it not a wonderful thing? Honestly, I don't understand the logic. What a travesty and, I am sure, a heartache for the Lord!
8/20/2009
Let's not offend the evil one!!
8/20/2009
Funny how some take apart the scripture to fit their wants and needs. (your picking our Levit.19:4) Well God said in Genesis 25:18, You shall make 2 cherubim of gold.....for the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant- God make laws against worshipping false idols ie a golden calf, or like the Egyptians worshipping half human half animal like gods. The use of holy pictures or statues that actually resemble our Lord Jesus are not breaking Gods law about worshipping false idols. No one worships the actual pictures or statues, they are reminders of who it is we are worshipping. Just like the pictures of your family or loved ones help you remember someone you haven't seen in a while, and the comfort it brings to be able to see them even though it is a rough copy. People really need to read the whole scripture and live by the truths that bind us as God's children instead of nit picking bits and pieces to try and win arguments. Also why does the protestant Bible exclude whole books of the Old Testament ie, Judith, Tobit, Maccabbees I and II, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach and Baruch. These are really interesting scripture books totally left out!???
8/20/2009
Here we have yet again, the usual protestant nonsense that Catholics worship idols. Of course, they are too hypocritcal to acknowledge Exodus, where God sends the snakes to bite and kill the children of Israel for complaining about the Mana as boring food. Then He instructs Moses and Aron to make a bronze serpent and raise it on a pole. Whoever looks on the statue (graven image, protestants? Is God Himself a heathen?) is cured after having been bitten. This is a prefigure of Our Lord's sacrifice on the cross as we all know. But it is astounding just how much of the bible these ignorant fools reject when it contradicts their "belief" system. They really worship a book, although with all "inconvenient" passages deleted. I'm sorry, but I don't believe in apeasing heretics by treating them with respect or as having any legitamacy. For 500 years they have been treating the Cathohlic church with disrespect. Pentacostals are merely a distant spinoff from the excremental revolt of Luther. There are 33,000+ different sects in the USA alone!! Perhaps Mr. Ramos could tell us which number his "church" is among that huge list. Is it 29,357? Or maybe 16,001? Each "pastor" claims to have the "correct" interpretation of the bible. That means that the other 32,999 AND all catholics are going to go to hell, doesn't it? We had a similar situation in East Boston where an Hispanic sect bought a beautiful old Catholic church and now the altars are gone and the magnificent stained glass windows are plain glass. These people are pigs in human clothing, with NO sense of the Sacred at all. However, the real culprits are our "bishops." Need I say More?
8/20/2009
If these people really had God in their heart, they would have the charity to give the statues away to local churches and interested peoople. They despise the image of Jesus and His friends, but not enough not to profit from them. If that doesn't expose these people as frauds and hypocrites, I don't know what does.
8/20/2009
Ron, actually, more people have been killed in the name of atheism in modern times than in the name of Christianity. Ever hear of communism? Read about your "superior" choice. Atheists often justify the false superiority of their rejection of God with the false claim that religion makes people dangerous.
8/20/2009
All Religion does is to make you feel guilty for being human. More people have been killed because of Religion than anything else. Religion is for people who can't think for themselves.
8/20/2009
You traditional old school Catholics must realize that this is no longer a Roman Catholic Church. The Catholics DON'T own this building anymore. If all of you are so appalled with the removing of these items, you should have supported your church FINANCIALLY so it wouldn't be closed down and sold in the first place. You are the cause of this fiasco, not the new owners of the building !!!! Don't knock the Pentecostals for their different interpretation of scripture. They are Christians also, children of the same Jesus Christ we believe in.
8/20/2009
I agree with Mr. Alex Ramos, that God lives in my heart too, however in this world of shallow and meaningless advertising in the form of huge disgusting billboards everywhere, I believe with all my heart that to look up and see a representation of Our Precious Jesus in the moment that it happens can inspire people to change their lives for the better on the spot. Maybe someone is searching for strength, for comfort, for forgiveness, or in that moment they are considering suicide in these troubled times and that simple connection with God in that moment can change their lives. It doesn't mean that they have to be Catholic to have a connection Our Creator. Give God the opportunity to influence our lives. A relationship with God is the only thing that lasts in the end!
8/20/2009
To Steve: Don't knock something you surely know nothing about. May God bless you.
8/20/2009
So Ramos is going to traffic our Lord on ebay. nice. Thanks, Ramos, for making a house of god no better than a den of theives!!!
8/20/2009
I attended Sacred Heart School for grades 1-8 from 1965 to 1972...it was sad enough to see the school becomes a condo, but now this!!!
8/20/2009
What a terrible shame when Jesus is removed in any way, shape, or form. This is so very, very disrespectful of Christ. We do need Christ and his representations on earth.
8/20/2009
The Catholic Church is a joke.
8/20/2009
Mr. Ramos, I pity you. Catholic statues are not idols. They are continual reminders of Christ and always lead us to Him.
8/20/2009
Idols ...idolatry can be money and those things you put before God which goes against His commandments. By the way these statues are not gods. Why don't you get read of all your family pictures and photo albums.....or are they just reminders just like a statue is to a catholic?
8/20/2009
Its iconoclasm all over again. This good pastor is taking scripture out of context again, removing it from 2,000 years of Christian thought. Dont forget human beings are not only spiritual beings--but a composite of BOTH--body and soul. Physical beauty elevates the heart and mind toward the TRANSCENDENT, towards the SACRED. Compare the grandest pentacostal church to any ancient gothic cathedral and you cant help but see the difference. Which one will inspire awe and mystery? There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
8/20/2009
Did anyone realize from the diocese that this statue is blessed and that those articles should have been given to other area Catholic parishes? How shameful that sacramentals are dismembered, (much like the infant in the womb) and "thrown out." How shameful to have it auctioned on ebay. I pray to Our Lady some of the faithful will recognize this and claim the statue. Hail Mary, full of grace.....
8/20/2009
Once more, people get it wrong. First, our statues and images are not idols, any more than photos of your families are idols. They are merely representations of holy men and women (the saints) and of Jesus and Mary. We Catholics don't worship the statues of Jesus themselves -- we KNOW it's just a statue. That is why the Biblical prohibition against idols does not apply to our statues and images. An idol is something that is worshipped as a false god. We do not worship the statues or images. As to the person who asked about blessed items being sold. Yes, they may be sold, but the blessing cannot be sold. The blessing essentially goes away when the item is sold, and it must be re-blessed by the new owner. That's why one of the customs among Catholics is to have a house blessed as soon as they move in. As to respect, well, yes, these are images representing Our Lord, and as such, they should be either destroyed or sold only with care, to make sure they will not be treated disrespectfully. Would you like to find that someone sold your family portrait and it's now being used to line a cat box or bird cage? It's not that the statue itself is sacred, it's what it represents. I really don't see why Protestants get themselves all worked up over this, when it's so easy.
8/20/2009
I think Rev. Ramos better take a good look at scripture again. "Beware of idols and gods cast in metal".You mean to say Rev. that a statue of Jesus fits this criteria!! Then who the heck are you directing your prayers to? You categorizing a statue of Our Lord as an idol or a god cast in metal!Hmmm...It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that it is "TOO Catholic" for you!,and you are afraid of possibly being "connected" to the Catholic Church if the statue remained. It really is quite a sad position on your part.I hope you are indeed proud of taking the time to disassemble a truly beautiful tribute to our Lord because of your blatant act of "pride"and "arrogance"!
8/20/2009
Perhaps those who removed the statues should ask the congregants forming the new parish Holy Family Pawtucket if they want the statues or even ask Bishop of the Diocese what should be done with them and show the Church and her people more respect than selling them on ebay.
8/20/2009
I was under the impression that if the statutes were blessed, they could not be sold. They should be given to a Catholic Church. These penetcostals just do not understand that the statutes are not graven images, but are icons which aid in the concentration during prayer. I have God in my heart too, but as a Catholic, I have his true presence in the Holy Eucharist that I receive and that is present in the Tabernacle. I am also an Extraoridnary Minister of Holy Communion for the past 5 years. I have a deep love for God and a great awareness of his presence in the Holy Eucharist.
8/20/2009
Catholics do not, nor have they ever worshiped a statue. The statue of Jesus, Mary, Joseph or other saints are only there to REMIND us of who we are praying to, just like when you look at a picture of your loved one in your wallet. You just like to LOOK AT THAT PICTURE and be reminded of someone whom you really love. That is the only reason we Catholics have statues.
8/20/2009
I hope a good catholic can be the highest bidder on e-bay. Our christian friends are not people who know how to love. Do they have chilren,s pictures,deceased family pictures, why could they not have let Christ's statue stay where people could see it and maybe Our Lord who has provided forgiveness for many people traveling Route 95 bring more people to your Christian church.
8/20/2009
It's really a comment on the evangelical mis-belief against statues. They took down a sacred image of the Lord. It really tells you that inside, He won't be there, either, regardless of what romanticized version of "being saved" means to them.
8/20/2009
MAY GOD FORGIVE US-----WE TRULY DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE DO!!!
8/20/2009
MAY GOD FORGIVE US----WE TRULY DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE DO!!!
8/20/2009
You people are weak minded! Even your god, Jesus indicated that church is the exploitation and bastardization for his belief so how could you flock to them against his teachings? Think for yourselves and stop searching for easy answers.
8/20/2009
How sad! LORD HAVE MERCY... "Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." For the love of you Dear Jesus, I offer my pain and suffering for the salvation of souls.
8/20/2009
As much as I am saddened that this has happened it is not so much about the removal a a statue of Our Blessed Lord. It is more about the fact that Catholic Churches are having to close. At least we can be glad that the building is still being used to bring people to God and Jesus Christ. Wether or not Pentecostals believe in statues is not the issue we should be focusing on. At least the icons are not being destroyed. Hopefully they will achieve the same or greater effect in their new homes after the sale. Let us pray that Jesus Christ will love us ALL and by the intercession of Our Lady through His mercy may all souls be brought to salvation. Amen
8/20/2009
"I have Jesus in my heart, so I don't need statues." Hmm...well, I have my Mom in my heart, but it's always nice to have her picture on my wall to remind me of how I love her. That's what a statue does, sir ; it reminds us of someone whom we love. I guess common sense really isn't that common...
8/20/2009
Hello......don't Pentecostals believe in Jesus and his merciful sacred heart?? This was a beautiful message to anyone who drove by.................must we be so 'PC' in this 21st century? Rev. Nogueras, with all due respect, how do you think Jesus feels about this action? We need more reminders of Christ's mercy in our world, not less. Perhaps you'll reconsider!!
8/20/2009
SHAME SHAME AND SHAME on this "house of prayer". If these pentecostals recognize Jesus as their Lord and Saviour why would they even think of removing this statue. It seems to me that if they have tegregious thinking they should not have any photos of their parents,spouses or children in their homes or workplaces either.
8/20/2009
so sad-incredibly disrespectful
8/20/2009
From One False New Order Church to another false man made Church..........
 |
 |
 |