Richard S. Vosko (born 1943) is an American Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Albany and liturgical design consultant who has overseen the redesign and renovation of numerous churches and cathedrals in the United States.[1] Vosko has worked throughout the U.S. and Canada as a designer and consultant for worship environments since 1970.
Richard S. Vosko
Born
1943 (age 79–80)
Nationality
American
Occupation
Roman Catholic priest & liturgical design consultant
He is the author of God's House Is Our House: Re-imagining the Environment for Worship (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2006) and Designing Worship Spaces: The Mystery of a Common Vision (Meeting House Essay #8; Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1996).[2]
Vosko believes that the role of the church in modern times has changed from the past when churches were designed to house a pre-Vatican II understanding of the liturgy.[3] Vosko's perspective draws heavily from Environment and Art in Catholic Worship (EACW), a 1978 document drawn up by a standing committee of the Bishops Committee of the Liturgy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).[3] Although the EACW was never voted on by the full body of bishops and did not carry the force of law,[4] it was used as the standard for new church design and renovation for over 20 years.[5] EACW’s status has been controversial since its inception not only due to its canonical standing but also its content. EACW uses as a basis the Second Vatican Council’s emphasis on Christ’s presence in the assembly celebrating mass and – in what some consider a stretch – shifts the basis for the design of the “liturgical environment” to “the action of the assembly” of believers rather than the principles from liturgy, theology, or architecture.[6] The EACW states: "Among the symbols with which liturgy deals, none is more important than this assembly of believers." Vosko states that the "new focus on the assembly" comes from the "recovered role of the people of God during acts of worship and not because of any subversive movement to discount the presence of God in the church." In Vosko's opinion, it is the assembly, not the church building, which must "transcend the ordinary."[7]
In 2000, the EACW was replaced by Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship (BLS). The BLS has been voted on and approved by the USCCB.[8][4] Vosko has been a critic of this new document.[9]
Vosko church designs and renovations emphasize:[10]
the Visual – Improved lighting and sound so as to allow all to see and hear the actions of the priest. This often includes moving the organ from the choir to the position directly behind the altar.
Participation – As every worshiper is called to participate in the Eucharist, the altar is relocated as far forward as possible often to the center of the church so the priest is part of the assembly. This also improves sight lines. Items such as altar rails and pulpits are removed as they inhibit the sense of participation. Worshipers should be arranged around the altar so they can see each other. The baptismal font is generally moved into the assembly and includes full immersion capability.
the "Horizontal" – Traditional "vertical" churches orient in one direction treating God as transcendent whereas more ascetic "horizontal" churches emphasize God's presence in and with the community.
Symbolism and Simplicity over Ornamentation – Noble simplicity is better than sumptuous display which only distracts from the actions of the priest during Mass. Elaborate reredos behind the altar, baldachinos, and excessive statuary are generally removed.
the Imagination – As the community changes, the church needs to adapt to new art, music, language, and ritual practices
Flexibility – Church pews are often removed and replaced with chairs to allow the church to be used for other functions.
Other – The tabernacle is typically moved into a separate chapel away from the main church to allow for private eucharistic adoration. Private confessionals are removed and replaced by face-to-face confessional rooms.
Completed projectsedit
Vosko has presided over renovations or contributed to the design of the following cathedrals and churches:[11]
St. Cecilia's Catholic Church (Warrensburg, New York)[17]
Criticismedit
Some have branded his church renovations as wreckovations due to their objection to the large scale removal of sacred art and ornamentation in service of Vosko's iconoclastic effort to achieve a non-traditional re-alignment of essential church elements.[18][19][20][21][22] Architect Michael Rose accuses Vosko of being a "liturgy deconstructionist."[23][24]
^Richard S. Vosko website 2011-03-14 at the Wayback Machine, rvosko.com; retrieved May 23, 2011
^Vosko, Richard S: "Things to Remember When Building or Renovating Your Church" March 07, 2007
^ abDietlin, Karen (November 14, 2002). . The Evangelist. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
^ abUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Authority of Environment and Art in Catholic Worship retrieved February 24, 2012
^Dellachiesa.com: Rose, Michael, "Environment and Art in Catholic Worship: A Critique" 2004
^The Institute for Sacred Architecture: "Environment and Art in Catholic Worship – A Critique" by Duncan Stroik Volume 2 — Summer 1999
^Adoremus Bulletin: "Displeasure at Domus Dei draft delays new document" Online Edition – Vol. VI, No. 5: August 2000
^Adoremus Bulletin: "Bishops back 'Built of Living Stones'" December 2000 – January 2001
^Built of Living Stones: Seven Years Later by Richard S. Vosko Spring 2008
^God's house is our house: re-imagining the environment for worship By Richard S. Vosko
^Richard S Vosko website: Projects 2011-03-14 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved May 23, 2011.
^. Catholic Courier. December 21, 2009. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
^Seattle Catholic: "Weakland's Cathedral Renovations" July 27, 2001
^Richard S. Vosko: Cathedral of the Incarnation 2011-12-13 at the Wayback Machine retrieved June 15, 2011
^Huffington Post: "This Is The Best Religious Architecture Of 2015" by Antonia Blumberg December 31, 2015
^NewsOK: "Does where you worship affect how you worship?" by Kelsey Dallas October 25, 2015
^The Post Star: "Mass in the round" by MADELINE FARBMAN June 11, 2007
^Catholic Culture: "Liturgical Design Consultant Reveals His New Age Religion"
^Canadian Catholic Journal 'Challenge': "How a Canadian church was saved from destruction" March 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
^The Friends of St. Colman's Cathedral: "Renovating or Ruining Cathedrals?" August 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine; accessed October 15, 2001.
^US Catholic: "Who moved my tabernacle? The ruckus over renovation", uscatholic.org, July 24, 2008.
^Los Angeles Lay Catholic Mission: "You Can Dress Her Up, But You Can't Take Her Out", losangelesmission.com, April 2001.
^Dellachiesa.com "Church Renovator Thrives on Manipulation Skills" August 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine 2004
^Michael S. Rose "Church Renovator Thrives on Manipulation Skills", Catholic.Culture.org; accessed March 1, 2017.
^. Archived from the original on March 13, 2004. Retrieved February 27, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
December 15, 2023
richard, vosko, born, 1943, american, roman, catholic, priest, diocese, albany, liturgical, design, consultant, overseen, redesign, renovation, numerous, churches, cathedrals, united, states, vosko, worked, throughout, canada, designer, consultant, worship, en. Richard S Vosko born 1943 is an American Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Albany and liturgical design consultant who has overseen the redesign and renovation of numerous churches and cathedrals in the United States 1 Vosko has worked throughout the U S and Canada as a designer and consultant for worship environments since 1970 Richard S VoskoBorn1943 age 79 80 NationalityAmericanOccupationRoman Catholic priest amp liturgical design consultantHe is the author of God s House Is Our House Re imagining the Environment for Worship Collegeville MN The Liturgical Press 2006 and Designing Worship Spaces The Mystery of a Common Vision Meeting House Essay 8 Chicago Liturgy Training Publications 1996 2 Contents 1 Design principles 2 Completed projects 2 1 Cathedrals 2 2 Churches 3 Criticism 4 Other 5 ReferencesDesign principles editVosko believes that the role of the church in modern times has changed from the past when churches were designed to house a pre Vatican II understanding of the liturgy 3 Vosko s perspective draws heavily from Environment and Art in Catholic Worship EACW a 1978 document drawn up by a standing committee of the Bishops Committee of the Liturgy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops USCCB 3 Although the EACW was never voted on by the full body of bishops and did not carry the force of law 4 it was used as the standard for new church design and renovation for over 20 years 5 EACW s status has been controversial since its inception not only due to its canonical standing but also its content EACW uses as a basis the Second Vatican Council s emphasis on Christ s presence in the assembly celebrating mass and in what some consider a stretch shifts the basis for the design of the liturgical environment to the action of the assembly of believers rather than the principles from liturgy theology or architecture 6 The EACW states Among the symbols with which liturgy deals none is more important than this assembly of believers Vosko states that the new focus on the assembly comes from the recovered role of the people of God during acts of worship and not because of any subversive movement to discount the presence of God in the church In Vosko s opinion it is the assembly not the church building which must transcend the ordinary 7 In 2000 the EACW was replaced by Built of Living Stones Art Architecture and Worship BLS The BLS has been voted on and approved by the USCCB 8 4 Vosko has been a critic of this new document 9 Vosko church designs and renovations emphasize 10 the Visual Improved lighting and sound so as to allow all to see and hear the actions of the priest This often includes moving the organ from the choir to the position directly behind the altar Participation As every worshiper is called to participate in the Eucharist the altar is relocated as far forward as possible often to the center of the church so the priest is part of the assembly This also improves sight lines Items such as altar rails and pulpits are removed as they inhibit the sense of participation Worshipers should be arranged around the altar so they can see each other The baptismal font is generally moved into the assembly and includes full immersion capability the Horizontal Traditional vertical churches orient in one direction treating God as transcendent whereas more ascetic horizontal churches emphasize God s presence in and with the community Symbolism and Simplicity over Ornamentation Noble simplicity is better than sumptuous display which only distracts from the actions of the priest during Mass Elaborate reredos behind the altar baldachinos and excessive statuary are generally removed the Imagination As the community changes the church needs to adapt to new art music language and ritual practices Flexibility Church pews are often removed and replaced with chairs to allow the church to be used for other functions Other The tabernacle is typically moved into a separate chapel away from the main church to allow for private eucharistic adoration Private confessionals are removed and replaced by face to face confessional rooms Completed projects editVosko has presided over renovations or contributed to the design of the following cathedrals and churches 11 Cathedrals edit Sacred Heart Cathedral Rochester 12 Cathedral of St John the Evangelist Milwaukee Wisconsin Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles St James Cathedral in Seattle 13 Cathedral of San Fernando in San Antonio Cathedral of the Incarnation Nashville 14 Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Memphis Tennessee Churches edit St Joe s Catholic Church De Pere Wisconsin St Vincent de Paul Church Albany New York 15 16 St Cecilia s Catholic Church Warrensburg New York 17 Criticism editSome have branded his church renovations as wreckovations due to their objection to the large scale removal of sacred art and ornamentation in service of Vosko s iconoclastic effort to achieve a non traditional re alignment of essential church elements 18 19 20 21 22 Architect Michael Rose accuses Vosko of being a liturgy deconstructionist 23 24 Other editVosko served as the chief liturgist for Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany 25 References edit Richard S Vosko website Archived 2011 03 14 at the Wayback Machine rvosko com retrieved May 23 2011 Vosko Richard S Things to Remember When Building or Renovating Your Church March 07 2007 a b Dietlin Karen November 14 2002 What s a cathedral anyway The Evangelist Archived from the original on March 4 2016 a b United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Authority of Environment and Art in Catholic Worship retrieved February 24 2012 Dellachiesa com Rose Michael Environment and Art in Catholic Worship A Critique 2004 The Institute for Sacred Architecture Environment and Art in Catholic Worship A Critique by Duncan Stroik Volume 2 Summer 1999 Adoremus Bulletin Displeasure at Domus Dei draft delays new document Online Edition Vol VI No 5 August 2000 Adoremus Bulletin Bishops back Built of Living Stones December 2000 January 2001 Built of Living Stones Seven Years Later by Richard S Vosko Spring 2008 God s house is our house re imagining the environment for worship By Richard S Vosko Richard S Vosko website Projects Archived 2011 03 14 at the Wayback Machine retrieved May 23 2011 Renovation follows church norms Catholic Courier December 21 2009 Archived from the original on March 17 2012 Retrieved May 14 2011 Seattle Catholic Weakland s Cathedral Renovations July 27 2001 Richard S Vosko Cathedral of the Incarnation Archived 2011 12 13 at the Wayback Machine retrieved June 15 2011 Huffington Post This Is The Best Religious Architecture Of 2015 by Antonia Blumberg December 31 2015 NewsOK Does where you worship affect how you worship by Kelsey Dallas October 25 2015 The Post Star Mass in the round by MADELINE FARBMAN June 11 2007 Catholic Culture Liturgical Design Consultant Reveals His New Age Religion Canadian Catholic Journal Challenge How a Canadian church was saved from destruction Archived March 1 2011 at the Wayback Machine The Friends of St Colman s Cathedral Renovating or Ruining Cathedrals Archived August 7 2011 at the Wayback Machine accessed October 15 2001 US Catholic Who moved my tabernacle The ruckus over renovation uscatholic org July 24 2008 Los Angeles Lay Catholic Mission You Can Dress Her Up But You Can t Take Her Out losangelesmission com April 2001 Dellachiesa com Church Renovator Thrives on Manipulation Skills Archived August 7 2011 at the Wayback Machine 2004 Michael S Rose Church Renovator Thrives on Manipulation Skills Catholic Culture org accessed March 1 2017 The Wanderer The Bishop s Denials Reflections on a Press Conference and Agony in Albany by Paul Likoudis Archived from the original on March 13 2004 Retrieved February 27 2014 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint unfit URL link Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Richard S Vosko amp oldid 1145179272, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
