$2.5 Million Given for Fountain at New Cathedral
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has received a $2.5-million donation from a foundation created by an anonymous Jewish philanthropist to install a fountain in the plaza at its new cathedral, officials announced Wednesday.
When the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is dedicated in September 2002, the identity of the donor will be made public.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Nov. 22, 2001 FOR THE RECORD
Los Angeles Times Thursday November 22, 2001 Home Edition Part A Part A Page 2 A2 Desk 2 inches; 49 words Type of Material: Correction
New cathedral--A story Nov. 15 in the California section incorrectly described the length of the nave of the new cathedral in downtown Los Angeles that is scheduled to be dedicated in the early fall of 2002. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will have a 333-foot nave, which is at least a foot longer than the one in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.
Supporters view the cathedral as a place where all can worship, a transcendent, inspiring sanctuary where social and economic distinctions dissolve.
But some have questioned the more than $150 million spent on the project. Critics such as the Catholic Worker, which aids the homeless and the poor, contend that the money would have been better spent on direct services to the poor.
The archdiocese issued a statement Wednesday that said the $2.5-million grant was made “in recognition of the longtime cordial and constructive relationship between the Jewish community and the Roman Catholic community here in Southern California.
The relationship has resulted in mutual dialogue, the co-sponsorship of many joint initiatives, and the involvement of many in the Jewish community with many Catholic parishes.”
The fountain will be constructed of Jerusalem Stone, “to highlight the importance of Jerusalem to so many of our faith communities here in Southern California.”
The cathedral will rise more than 12 stories above Temple Street and Grand Avenue.
The nave will be 3,000 feet--a foot longer than St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.
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