It has been in the news for some time that The Diocese of Orange (California) has been 
trying to buy the Crystal Cathedral. I ignored it, because I really hoped that it would fall through. It looked like it would when their first offer was rejected.
The Diocese is upping the offer (H/T Deacon Greg):
Chapman University and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange appear to be the front-runners to buy the bankrupt Crystal Cathedral, although a new suitor has emerged, according to documents filed in bankruptcy court Tuesday.
The disclosure statement filed by the creditors committee outlined options for the Garden Grove church to exit Chapter 11.
The diocese, according to the documents, increased its cash offer from $50 million to $53.6 million and would require the Crystal Cathedral’s ministry to leave the property after three years. But the diocese would attempt to help it find a new space. Continue reading…
Does anything about this monstrosity say Catholic to you? They want to spend 53 million on it????
I don’t think that even an extreme makeover would help.
A Deacon's Wife 
It’s hideous and Fr. Benedict Groeschel would say. Seriously with that much money, they could being putting it towards so many other worthwhile projects or property for that matter.
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Why in the world would we want to have any claims on such a monstrosity? This would be an embarrassment to the Catholic faith. Looks like this could be another scandal we should avoid at all costs.
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I agree with the thought of the outrageous expenditure of money. I do have one positive thing to say and that is when my mom went there, she had wonderful pictures of their pond that has Jesus walking on water, although, since he was actually in a lake during a great storm, not exactly a true interpretation, but it was pretty amazing to view.
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The Diocese of Orange needs a new cathedral, as our existing one will barely seat 800 people. Given the large size of our diocese, this simply isn’t adequate. A new cathedral complex was in development, but the cost of the cathedral and new offices (to replace our Marywood facility, which is to be sold), would have cost around $200 million. The purchase, refurbishment of the new Christ Cathedral and the rest of the Crystal Cathedral properties will cost about half that. Still a lot of money, but a somewhat more frugal choice.
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