”Other” cathedrals

Consecrated in 1096 by Pope Urban II, the Saint-Jean Baptiste cathedral in Bazas ( in the Gironde department) was rebuild in Gothic style in the XI century; a succession of 65 bishops, until the 1789 revolution when mgr. Grégoire de Saint-Sauveur was exiled to Spain, in 1792, and the bishophood suspended on the same year. A special reportage on the cathedral was published by the French Catholic newspaper "La Croix" (21-22 July, 2012), that throughout the summer will present the "other" cathedrals", the ones suppressed after the revolution.True testimony. Today, "as elegant as a cathedral in Northern Italy, imposing but not intimidating, Unesco World Heritage Site since 1998, within the Chemis of Saint-Jacques-Compostelle", the cathedral writes Jean-Yves Dana, the special "La Croix" envoy, "with its 56 meter-high tower bell, overlooking the Graves vineyards, Gascogne forests or Marmadai countries is a visible reference point". A monument which dominates its world of castles and Roman churches. A vestige of historical events, before being frozen, exhausted by its great events and darkest hours". François Mauriac, in 1960, wrote "your small deceased provincial world, scarcely cultivated is more civilized, and perhaps even better than ours". Father Sylvain Arnaud, 46 years old, in charge for the last six years, of the cathedral dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, said that "honouring the cathedral is a act of care for the entire human kind".A "deteriorated" church… The building is now in serious conditions: "during the violent Easter storms – said Marie-Bernadette Dulau, President of the Tourism Office and treasurer of the Cathedral’s friends- abbot Arnaud celebrated mass while water was falling also on the altar. Even debris fell down…we risked closing". Windows need to be changed as well as the power plant. "The municipality – abbot Arnaud said – is committed to this initiative" even if "restoration expenses are too high for such a small municipality". There are 5 thousand inhabitants in Bazas. Estimated costs for pressing repair works is of 2.1 million euro. " Being Unesco World Patrimony does not help much in a concrete way – abbot points out. It just raises awareness on the need to preserve the building". Major Bernard Boisson explains: "Ancient cathedrals like ours, without a resident bishop, are the Municipality’s responsibility". Boisson hopes works will begin "in 2013". For the first "581 thousand euro instalment the State will fund 40%, the General Council and Region 15% each; while the remaining 174 thousand euros will be paid by the Municipality". …but very motivated. "Jesus tells us to: ‘Watch and pray". And it is what we are doing. I do not sleep much and try to motivate people! " Are the words of abbot Arnaud who together with his pastoral team won’t "succumb to difficulties". "We must look for new ideas to involve people". Abbot Arnaud, apart from Bazas, is also in charge of Villandraut. The priest is responsible for 47 parishes, some at 70-km distance from one another. Often on the road, always with his smartphone, this "country priest of the XXI century" is confident: "My mission is to reach out to people where they are, according to the words of the Gospel". Sometimes in just one day he celebrates four baptisms and two matrimonies. Catechesis and liturgical animation are top priorities because "in a cathedral believers expect beautiful celebrations", pastoral work with young people, culture and communication. Lively Eucharist assemblies. "I love the title of Bishop of Bazas which accompanies that of Bordeaux archbishop", said card. Jean-Pierre Ricard, current archdiocese priest, explaining that before the French revolution, in today’s Girone department "there were two ancient dioceses: Bordeaux and Bazas, the rural one". For card. Richard "it is hard to understand the violence of eliminating with a signature what for centuries had been a local church with its followers, history, and bishops"; "a religious heritage, with dark moments but also events of illuminated holiness". "Each year I visit Bazas: for a pastoral visit, confirmation ceremonies or youth and parish meetings". Referring to Arnaud’s work " on his responsibility for such a large sector" card. Ricard said: "He must walk all the streets of the region. This call for Christians to meet and build lively and praying Eucharist assemblies". By so doing " the old cathedral will regain its Mother Church role!".