Catholic order that celebrates Latin Mass buys former Presbyterian church in Belfast
A FORMER Presbyterian church in Belfast has been bought by a Catholic order.
Fortwilliam and Macrory Presbyterian Church, on the Antrim Road in the north of the city, was purchased by the Institute of ChristtheKingSovereignPriest, which celebrates Latin Mass and whose members have already moved into the church.
The order said it planned to reopen the building for Christian worship and faith, with an emphasis on culture, sacred music and charitable events.
The listed church served as a place of worship for 133 years before closing in October last year because of dwindling numbers. Its roots date to June 1880, when architects were invited to submit plans in a competition, with prizes of £30 for the winner and £10 for the runner-up.
The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, which also has a site in Limerick, operates separately from the Diocese of Down and Connor but has been given permission from Bishop Noel Treanor to base itself in the area.
The order has 115 priests and 50 religious sisters who live a semi-cloistered life, and 90 seminarians currently training for the priesthood at an institute in Florence, Italy.
The Institute of Christ the King celebrates Latin Mass, also known as the Tridentine Mass, which was promoted by Saint Pope John XXIII in 1962.
“This liturgy — promoted by Saint John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis in various documents — attracts today an increasing number of people, especially young adults, students and families,” said a spokesperson for the order.
The Latin Mass was restricted in many places until 2007, when Pope Benedict signed a universal indult, or permission, for priests to celebrate it under certain conditions.
“The cost of purchasing the Fortwilliam and Macrory church has been met by an interest-free loan which the Institute of Christ the King will have to reimburse over the next five years,” the spokesperson added.
“The institute wishes to bring the uplifting beauty of sacred worship and genuine culture to all.”