Star Trek Altar....vain modernism rampant in ancient Church

The "strange" altar table in the recently restored Church of Santa Clara in Seville

It has been designed and executed in marble by the architectural studio of Pablo Millán, who describes it as "Franciscan". 

(Cathcon: I would describe it as "Pope Francisan style", a passing phase. And not quite as bad as the "worst altar in the world" but getting there.)

This was the general comment after its installation a few hours ago. After the blessing of the church of Santa Clara last Friday, which had been closed to worship for a quarter of a century in the San Lorenzo district of Seville, an altar table was installed this Wednesday, which has provoked some unfavourable opinions about its suitability in a temple of God of great heritage value. 

The place where the bread and wine are consecrated during the Eucharist has a style which, at first sight, clashes with the Renaissance, Baroque and even some Gothic elements which prevail in the church. 

Despite its whiteness (the material used is marble), the altar table is not at all discreet. This is especially so against the backdrop of the important ceramic bench, several centuries old. Some describe the altar as "post-conciliar" style, a rather generic term that includes all the artistic trends used in churches after the Second Vatican Council. 

The new table for the Sacrifice of the Mass at Santa Clara has been designed by the architectural studio of Pablo Millán (originally from Jaén but who has lived in Seville for many years) after being commissioned by the Archbishopric of Seville, which undertook the restoration of the church (with significant municipal aid), which has taken two years of work. 

According to the architect's Facebook profile on Wednesday, it is "a Franciscan altar" and "one of the most exciting commissions we have been given to date: to design, build and assemble a stone altar for the Royal Monastery of Santa Clara in Seville". It should be remembered that Saint Francis of Assisi (together with Saint Clare) was the founder of the Poor Clares, the order that ran this convent, today converted (except for the church) into "a great cultural repository for the city". 

A great work of stonemasonry

The new altar table, according to the architect in this commentary, has required a great deal of stonemasonry work. He also thanks the Archbishop of Seville, Monsignor José Ángel Saiz Meneses, for his support in this project. In the photos accompanying the publication he appears with the diocesan delegate for Heritage, Antonio Rodríguez Babío. 

Explanations aside, the truth is that this altar has not left the first people who have seen it indifferent, whose opinions (according to what has been read on social networks) are not exactly in praise of an element that is neither in harmony with the sanctuary and nor the church in general.

However, there are also art historians who consider that this altar is typical of the 21st century and that it becomes part of the sum of styles with which this important church is clad (in which the altarpieces and sculptures by Montañés stand out), a witness, in this way, to the passage of time. In its favour, they point out that it is "a neutral piece that does not contaminate". Minimalist, in any case. 

It should be remembered that during the blessing Mass celebrated last Friday by Monsignor Saiz, a golden table with Solomonic columns was used. 

Source