VATICAN CITY, AUG. 25, 2002 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II expressed his good wishes to the clergy and faithful of the Los Angeles Archdiocese for the upcoming consecration of their new cathedral.
The Pontiff expressed his sentiments in a letter published Saturday by the Vatican Press Office. Written in Latin, the letter is addressed to Cardinal James Francis Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, whom he named special envoy for the Sept. 2 event.
In his letter the Pope asks the U.S. cardinal to express his greetings and blessings to all the participants, as well as his hope that the new cathedral will contribute to the growth of all in “right faith” and “solid devotion.”
The old Cathedral of St. Vibiana was closed after being damaged during a 1994 earthquake.
Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, has invited the city’s religious leaders to attend a special interreligious commemoration on Sept. 11, the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The site for the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was acquired in 1996. The complex was designed by Spanish architect José Rafael Moneo of Madrid.
The 2.5-acre landscaped plaza includes a residence, conference center and 600-car underground parking garage. More details are at cathedral.la-archdiocese.org.
