Heritage Preservation and Sacred Art After the Second Vatican Council

Abstract

The Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium specifically contains provisions concerning liturgy but also the preservation of historical monuments and issues of sacred art. There is an urgent question in connection with the development of modern art as to which type of art is suitable for the sacred, liturgical space and which is not. This begs the question as to how to define sacred art. Another problem is raised, however, in connection with the preservation of historic buildings (esp. churches), that being how to reconcile the requirements of church and those of state heritage preservation? Specific questions are presented by disused churches, their sale and subsequent use. There is also the issue of the formation of candidates for the priesthood and priests concerned with preservation of historical monuments and sacred art. The issue will be discussed on the basis of church documents (general and particular) and selected relevant examples. The paper focuses on the Sacrosanctum Concilium 44–46, 122–129 in connection not only with preservation of historic church buildings, but with the issue of sacred art (modern art in the Church, sacred furnishings, the commission for sacred art) and that of unneeded “redundant” churches: the use of church buildings for other/ secular purposes.

Keywords

• Second Vatican Council
• Sacrosanctum Concilium
• Sacred Art (Arte Sacra)