First phase of the EUR 400 mln Redemption Cathedral project is finalized

The EUR 400 million partially state funded Redemption Cathedral, set to be finalized in three years times, is on schedule, with the first phase of complex foundation works being successfully completed. The Romanian government has offered the 11 ha land for the Redemption complex, in vicinity of The Parliament Building (People’s House), free of charge in 2005, and its current value stands at EUR 200 million, which makes the complex cost a whopping EUR 600 million.

The EUR 400 million building will be five stories tall, three underground and two at the surface, with one of the building’s tower reaching 120 meters in height. 12 lifts and 250 parking spots will keep the flux of visitors in order. The leader of the Romanian Christian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel, declared in 2010 that one of the cathedral’s purposes will be charity, as it will be able to accommodate 3000 pilgrims. The cathedral is also cultural, as stores for religion related materials (books, other objects) will be made available. Over 5000 pilgrims will be able to assist the religious service inside the cathedral, while another 125.000 pilgrims will have space in the cup shaped project area, with the cathedral in the middle, gazing at large TV screens where the religious service will be broadcasted live.

Such an expensive project in an economical environment marked by austerity and risk can be controversy-prone, so the Romanian Patriarchy has issued a document explaining clearly why this project has to go ahead. The current patriarchy building built in 1658 lacks space and comfort for delivering optimum religious services. Secondly, the green area of Bucharest will benefit from the 6 ha park that will be arranged in the complex premises. Thirdly, the cathedral will serve cultural, medical and charity purposes. A conference centre, the National Christianity Museum, a cantina and hotel for pilgrims, together with a diagnosis and treatment medical centre will allow full care services for visitors. The cathedral will be a symbol of unity and dignity for Romanians everywhere. However, in the current austere context, hospitals and schools had to be closed as the government doesn’t have enough funds to keep them opened. This is not in contradiction with the cathedral building: The Redemption Cathedral is a permanent spiritual school that can’t have private competition, as is the case for education and health centers, argue Patriarchy officials. In addition, celebrations of national significance will be organized in the premises of the religious complex.

On the opposing side, The Romanian Humanist Association is combating state funding for the Cathedral in the legal areas, while demanding Prime Minister Emil Boc to resign. This group argues that funding the building of National Redemption Cathedral is a defiant act, when education, scientific research and health funds have been slashed as part of the austerity plan agreed with the IMF.

Meanwhile, as works on the building site are in progress, the Romanian Patriarchy has opened a website, where visitors are greeted with the message:” Your gift for eternity”, informing Christians that donations have an eternal significance. The website’s infrastructure allows donations through SMS, credit card or bank transfer. 72 online donations have been registered up to this point.