The bishops wish to discuss the fate of Quebec’s churches. “We all want it not to fall into disrepair,” explains M.gr Pierre Murray, secretary general of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Quebec, in response to the cry of alarm launched by the citizens’ group Portes Ouvertes, as The duty reported on it in its Tuesday edition.
“We know that churches are part of the heritage of Quebecers and that they are important. We’ve been asking for support for years. The question of heritage constantly comes up in our discussions. But no matter which party is in power, we are told that it is important, but nothing ever succeeds,” regrets M.gr Murray in interview at Duty.
The bishops saw fit to react collectively so as not to discourage initiatives. “People have good ideas. We are willing to sit down with them, provided that they do not forget who, for the moment at least, are the owners of these buildings who maintain them. »
The bishops evoke, in a joint letter, exchanges to be had within the framework of current structures or perhaps on the occasion of a particular consultative event of the “estates general” type.
What secularism?
The current understanding of the Law on Secularism does not help find a solution for buildings that are decaying, the bishops point out.
In several places, explains Mgr Raymond Poisson, bishop of Saint-Jérôme, the factories could still be very useful in reconversion projects. “These are often the only solidly constituted groups around which it would be possible to build projects. But a poor understanding of the Law on Secularism immediately excludes them from the discussion, even though they are the ones who have held these churches at arm’s length for decades! So, the churches should be ceded to groups of which we often do not know if they are strong enough to hold the road before even starting to discuss, before the projects are really launched. »
This way of looking at the future of churches hurts them more than it helps them, he believes.
Mgr Poisson pleads for a mutual understanding of everyone’s interests. “Here, for example: we have just welcomed the Sisters of Saint-Anne into our home. They allowed their large building in Lachine to be transformed into community residences. » Generally speaking, this is the meaning given to the transformations of religious buildings that the Church favors, he said. “It is in this sense of community that we go everywhere. For my part, I have never sold a single church to a developer! We must not forget that in the basements of churches there exist, even today, a number of social groups who absolutely cannot afford commercial rents. It counts in a community! […] We think that should be encouraged and that should be in the equation. »
Reconversion projects must support a social vision, says Mgr Fish. “In Saint-Jérôme, we have just agreed to loan a church to make it a multi-service space. It is also used for one hour per week for religious purposes. » What is the harm in this diversity of uses? he asks. In many cases, this could be a way forward.
A summit meeting
The Bishop of Saint-Jérôme would like, to begin, meetings with the State and the municipalities. “If we want to go further, we must go beyond the civil servants stage. We have to go on the political side. » There are multiple solutions for churches because the situation varies from one place to another. “But it is certain that these are old buildings, extraordinary architecture, poorly insulated buildings, outdated mechanical systems. I believe that in many cases, the idea of wanting to transform this into housing is unrealistic. »
The programs and the way the State envisions the future of churches need to be rethought, he suggests.
In his letter addressed to Dutythe Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Quebec affirms that “in all regions, the dioceses and the factories that own churches and adjoining buildings are reflecting […] actively to the different ways of ensuring their maintenance, heating and restoration, including by considering the desecration of the premises and their sale or transfer. »
The example of the State
Mgr Pierre Murray considers that several old buildings with a religious past have been transferred without the example of their good maintenance being given, even by the State. “The State has no lessons to give us in terms of building maintenance,” adds M.gr Raymond Poisson. “Look at our schools, our hospitals! »
“Take the cases of the Saint-Sulpice library in Montreal,” continues Mgr Murray. It is not a church, but its historical link with the religious world is important, he rightly argues. “The place, although extraordinary, has been abandoned for years. It falls into ruin. » He also mentions the former Institut des Sourdes-Muettes, rue Saint-Denis. “This is a place that would lend itself very well to conversion into housing. What are we waiting for ? The chapel could be used as a community or performance hall. However, it has been abandoned since the State decided to no longer use it. It’s general indifference,” he laments, while affirming that he already has enough on his hands with the buildings that the Catholic Church still owns.