Switzerland: Bishop Gmur does not want any churches transformed into mosques

The Don Bosco Catholic Church.

The Don Bosco Catholic Church in Basel, in northern Switzerland, has been closed since 2013 and is still awaiting its new affectation. While it is currently hosting an exposition of Italian artist Andrea Di Martino's photos on ... the transformation of disaffected churches, Bishop Felix Gmür declared, according to the Swiss Catholic Church's website on January 20, 2016, that he "would not be in favor of transforming it into a mosque". In answer to a journalist's question during a debate organized on January 18 just outside the exposition, he stated that "certain Muslims could interpret it as a hold on the Christians."

However, re-affecting the church for the celebration of the Mass is out of the question: "We have too many places of worship," stated Bishop Gmur. "The ecclesial structures in Basel were designed for about 90,000 faithful, but there are only about 30,000 more or less who come to church regularly (...). It is a situation we have to accept. We are here to bring people to Jesus with or without a building." As it happens, this particular building, built in 1935, was closed in July 2013 in the context of "the re-organization of the city's Catholic parishes."

According to the diocese, discussions are underway with an Evangelical church, and Anglican church and an art school. The Holy Ghost parish, to which the Don Bosco Church is attached, would like to use the church for the celebration of funerals. The Don Bosco Church's future will be decided by the Council of the Cantonal Church of Basel in concert with the bishop during the year 2016.

(sources: apic/rts – DICI no.329 dated Jan. 29, 2016)

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