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C L E R GY A P P R E C I AT I O N
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2024 | KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
This German church is the tallest in the world, Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for women until Spain’s La Sagrada Familia is done BY STEFANIE DAZIO AND PIETRO DE CRISTOFARO
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MATTHIAS SCHRADER | AP
Exterior view of Ulmer Münster, the world’s tallest church, in Ulm, Germany, on Sept. 18.
the highest church in the world, but only have the second-highest,” Dirk Homburg said. The Ulmer Münster’s history dates to 1377, when Ulm’s citizens decided to demolish their old parish church. Located outside the city gates, it could be a perilous trek for congregants during the frequent wars of the Middle Ages. The residents chose to finance the building of a new one in the city’s center themselves, and planned for it to have the highest spire in the world. Construction paused in 1543 when, in the wake of the Protestant Reformation, the city’s leaders decided to stop the work amid political and economic turbulence. Building resumed in 1844 and by May 31, 1890, the church was complete. Reaching a record 161.5 meters (530 feet) high, the Ulmer Münster was built deliberately to be taller than the Cologne Cathedral in northwest Germany — which topped out at 157.2 meters (516 feet) in 1880. Although Ulm was destroyed by a World War II bombing raid in 1944, the church itself remained upright. But the Ulmer Münster’s age, as well as weather impacts and some 1 million annual visitors, mean that construction and restoration occur constantly amid tourism and religious services. For example, visitors can currently climb 560 stairs to the viewing platform at 102
meters (335 feet). The platform at 143 meters (469 feet) — 768 stairs — is closed due to stairwell repairs. Krannich said it remains special regardless. “Whether the tower is now 5 meters (16.4 feet) higher or 5 meters lower, it doesn’t matter to the quality of this church,” he said. Ursula Heckler, a twotime visitor to the church, said she initially journeyed to Ulm in 2019 because she, like many others who trek there, knew it was the world’s tallest. She doesn’t plan to visit La Sagrada Familia when it takes over. Christos Kalokerinos, a native Ulmer, is unruffled by the looming loss of status. “There are so many other nice things about the Münster that it’s not really relevant,” he said. “I think most people think that way, too. But of course it was also great to brag a bit about the fact that we have the highest church tower — because many, many people don’t necessarily know Ulm that way.” Indeed, there are few indications of the record in the city. The gift shop inside the church just has a fake fireplace labeled “the world’s tallest church,” and the only reference in a tourism store across the street appeared to be a postcard stacking the church’s height up against the Great Pyramid of Giza, Big Ben and the Statue of Liberty. All are shorter than the Ulmer Münster.
ULM, Germany — The Ulmer Münster in southern Germany is the world’s tallest church. For now, anyway. The Gothic-style Lutheran church’s reign — begun in May 31, 1890 — could end in 2025, when La Sagrada Familia Basilica’s “Tower of Jesus Christ” in Spain is set to be completed. At an eventual 172.5 meters (about 566 feet) high, the Catholic basilica in Barcelona should inch out the Ulmer Münster by a mere 11 meters (36 feet). But La Sagrada Familia ‘s construction has taken 142 years and counting. The ultimate completion could come in 2026, 100 years since the death of the original Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí. Ironically, when the basilica reaches its final height, it will be thanks to a 17-meter (55.77foot) cross that was made by a German company. Still, the Ulmer Münster’s lead pastor isn’t upset. “I don’t find it all that fascinating that it is the highest church tower in the world,” Dean Torsten Krannich told The Associated Press. “The church also lifts my heart up to God. This is simply a wonderful church that invites you to pray and be thankful.” After all, Ulm will always have Albert Einstein. The physicist was born there in 1879 and lived in Ulm for the first 15 months of his life. His extended family remained, and he returned and climbed the church’s tower in 1923. In addition to a stained glass window inside the Ulmer Münster that features Einstein and other famous scientists, the head of communications for Ulm’s tourism board is quick to point out that the rest of the city has “a very high density of art and culture.” “We can inspire the guests who come here even when we no longer have
a possible diaconate for some women. Otherwise, the diaconate becomes a kind of consolation for some women and the ROME — Debate was leaning away most decisive issue of women’s particifrom allowing women to take on orpation in the church remains neglected.” dained roles in the Catholic Church as He said that by studying influential the second phase of Pope Francis’ reCatholic figures including Joan of Arc, form project opened Wednesday with an Dorothy Day and St. Teresa of Avila “the agenda topped by calls for women to take issues of access to the diaconate appear up more positions of responsibility resized and we try to widen the spaces Francis presided over an opening Mass for a more decisive female presence.” in St. Peter’s Square with the 368 bishops Francis launched the reform process and laypeople who will meet behind in 2021 to put in practice his goal of closed doors for the next three weeks to creating a church that is more inclusive, discuss the future of the church and how humble and welcoming, where ordinary to make it more responsive to the needs Catholics have a greater say in deciof Catholics today. Nearby, advocates for sion making than the all-male priestly women’s ordination staged a flash mob hierarchy. under the motto: “Don’t Kick the Can, The process, and the two-year canvassWomen Can Be Priests.” ing of rank-and-file Catholics that inSeveral of the most contentious issues formed it, sparked both hopes and fears are officially off the table, after they that real change was afoot. encountered resistance and objections In his marching orders Wednesday, during the first session of the synod, or Francis urged delegates to leave aside meeting, last year. They include ministheir self-interested positions and truly tering to LGBTQ+ Catholics and ordain- listen to one another. ing women to serve as deacons. “Otherwise, we will end up locking Francis entrusted these topics to 10 ourselves into dialogues among the deaf, study groups that are working in parallel where participants seek to advance their to the synod and offered updates on their own causes or agendas without listening work in the opening session Wednesday to others and, above all, without listennight. ing to the voice of the Lord,” he said. In the most eagerly awaited status The first phase of the synod process report, the Vatican doctrine chief, Cardi- ended last year by concluding it was “urnal Víctor Manuel Fernández, said the gent” to guarantee fuller participation by debate on women’s role in governance women in church governance positions, was moving away from a fixation on an and calling for theological and pastoral ordained ministry such as the diaconate. research to continue about allowing Instead, he said, the debate was movwomen to be deacons. ing to actual experiences of women Deacons perform many of the same leading Catholic communities and functions as priests, such as presiding exercising power without the benefit of over baptisms, weddings and funerals, authority that is derived automatically but they cannot celebrate Mass. from ordination. Advocates say allowing women to be “We know the public position of the deacons would help offset the Catholic pontiff, who does not consider the ispriest shortage and address longstandsue (of the female diaconate) mature,” ing complaints that women have a Fernandez told the synod hall. “The second-class status in the church: barred opportunity for further study remains from the priesthood yet responsible for open, but in the Holy Father’s mind there the lion’s share of the work educating are other issues yet to be investigated the young, caring for the sick and passand resolved before rushing to talk about ing the faith onto next generations. BY NICOLE WINFIELD