Crystal Cathedral memorial stones to be removed
Aug 22, 2013, 8:51 PM
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (AP) – A plan to remove memorial stones from the landmark Crystal Cathedral in Southern California is drawing opposition from donors who paid thousands of dollars to honor loved ones.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange County announced plans last week to remove nearly 1,800 “Walk of Faith” stones surrounding the Garden Grove cathedral.
Cathedral founder Robert Schuller sold the diamond-shaped granite memorials for up to $3,000 each, promising they’d remain for centuries.
But the Catholic Church, which bought the bankrupt church last year, says it will remove the stones for renovation purposes. Purchasers can retrieve them and also view them in digital form on a website.
The Orange County Register reports (
http://bit.ly/16OIWTf) some donors are heartbroken, including 88-year-old Judy De Clercq. The Anaheim woman says she’ll beg officials not to remove her memorial to her late son.
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Information from: The Orange County Register,
http://www.ocregister.com
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