Passion Sunday, 2002, St. Ignatius of Loyola, NYC

Interior View
Church of St. Ignatius Loyola
980 Park Avenue (at 84th Street), New York, NY
Rev. Gerald Blaszczak, S.J., Pastor (since Ocober 2005)

. . .The Cardinal has expressed his approval of the other elements of the renovation plan. Thus we could simply delete the plans calling for renovation of the sanctuary from the project. But I believe this would be fundamentally wrong. First, because we have accepted donations to a very specific proposal that the donors have a right to see respected. Second, the sanctuary redesign is at the heart of what needs to be done. It would be a major compromise of our own integrity as a post-Vatican II community to spend over two million dollars refurbishing a Catholic Church and leave it as if the Council had never happened and the liturgy never reformed. Third, proceeding with a renovation without addressing liturgical needs would expose us to justifiable criticisms and even ridicule. It would be an embarrassment to the Society of Jesus to administer a Parish that had so glaringly turned its back on the liturgical movement inspired by Vatican II. Finally, my conscience simply will not let me “sell” a proposal in which I do not believe. And I do not believe in refurbishing a Church while ignoring the liturgical requirements of the space. . . .
—“Restoration and Renovation of Saint Ignatius — Cancelled”, by Father Walter F. Modrys, S.J., Pastor, Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, New York City

St. Ignatius Loyola resounds with glorious music.