World News
Christ Cathedral is name of Orange Diocese's new cathedral
Published: June 11, 2012
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange, Calif., said June 9 that Christ Cathedral is the new name of the former Crystal Cathedral, now owned by the diocese and once home to the ministries of the Rev. Robert H. Schuller. He also announced Father Christopher Smith has been named episcopal vicar for the cathedral. Bishop Brown, in remarks during the ordination Mass for four new diocesan priests, added that "Catholics throughout the diocese, and all across America, are eagerly anticipating" when the first Mass will be celebrated at the cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif. In a telephone interview from Orange three days before the official announcement, Father Smith told Catholic News Service that "the only requirement was that the name be Christological in nature." The new name was one of the most popular among suggestions from 4,129 Catholics. It was officially approved by the Vatican. Joining Father Smith in the June 6 telephone interview with CNS were Msgr. Michael Heher, the diocese's vicar general, and Shirl Giacomi, chancellor. Msgr. Heher said Rev. Schuller, the televangelist who founded the Crystal Cathedral and led its popular nationally broadcast TV program "Hour of Power," told him he had built the cathedral for Christ. "Dr. Schuller said he knew that under Roman Catholic ownership, the Crystal Cathedral would be with Christ forever. It was a powerful gesture of confidence," the priest said.
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