$ 20 million for the restoration of religious cultural heritage
Quebec will provide $ 20 million for the restoration of religious cultural heritage. The announcement was made by Nathalie Roy, Minister of Culture and Communications, Sunday at the Holy Family Church in Boucherville.
Of the total envelope, $ 15 million will be invested in 2019-2020 and dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage of a religious nature throughout Quebec. These include restoring 69 buildings, 2 organs, 4 movables
and a collection of works of art spread across several regions.
The program also makes it possible to finance "up to 80% of project costs, the latter having previously been the subject of a rigorous selection
process by the Quebec Religious Heritage Council".
"The sums allocated will also support communities that are mobilizing for the protection and presentation of cultural heritage of a religious nature which, let us remember, must be a shared responsibility," the minister said.
Five million will be destined to "the requalification of the places of worship, in order to preserve their patrimonial value".
Of the total envelope, $ 15 million will be invested in 2019-2020 and dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage of a religious nature throughout Quebec. These include restoring 69 buildings, 2 organs, 4 movables
and a collection of works of art spread across several regions.
The program also makes it possible to finance "up to 80% of project costs, the latter having previously been the subject of a rigorous selection
process by the Quebec Religious Heritage Council".
"The sums allocated will also support communities that are mobilizing for the protection and presentation of cultural heritage of a religious nature which, let us remember, must be a shared responsibility," the minister said.
Five million will be destined to "the requalification of the places of worship, in order to preserve their patrimonial value".
For the Legault government, it is a matter of respecting a promise made on this subject during the election campaign.
The announcement was greeted by Cardinal Gérald Cyprien, who sees a call for air for the maintenance of Quebec places of worship.
The significant decrease in religious practice and the significant increase in maintenance and restoration costs no longer allow Quebec factories and dioceses to bear alone the future of these places of worship of great architectural, artistic and cultural value. .
Choices to make
"There are a lot of buildings that are beautiful. There are some to protect and others that have no value, unfortunately. So a selection has to be done, "explained Ms. Roy.
If it were up to me, I would save everything, everywhere, but the reality is that funds are not unlimited.
The selected buildings will have to meet a series of criteria, including age, but not only and not automatically. Architecture, interior decor and artwork will also be taken into account.
"The requests will be analyzed by the Religious Heritage Council, which will guide us to make an informed selection," said Ms. Roy.
Cardinal Gérald Cyprien believes that churches "remain living places where the baptized gather to celebrate their faith".
Josée Grandmont, the chair of the Religious Heritage Council, is very supportive of this. "Every village has its church, we are talking about secularism, but people know that a church is also a gathering place, it's a bit of Quebec's identity heritage," she said.
In fact, over the past decade, Quebec has lost hundreds of religious buildings.
The Religious Heritage Council has applied for $ 40 million in funding. He must still find 20 million and relies on parishes, foundations or communities.
The announcement was greeted by Cardinal Gérald Cyprien, who sees a call for air for the maintenance of Quebec places of worship.
The significant decrease in religious practice and the significant increase in maintenance and restoration costs no longer allow Quebec factories and dioceses to bear alone the future of these places of worship of great architectural, artistic and cultural value. .
Choices to make
"There are a lot of buildings that are beautiful. There are some to protect and others that have no value, unfortunately. So a selection has to be done, "explained Ms. Roy.
If it were up to me, I would save everything, everywhere, but the reality is that funds are not unlimited.
The selected buildings will have to meet a series of criteria, including age, but not only and not automatically. Architecture, interior decor and artwork will also be taken into account.
"The requests will be analyzed by the Religious Heritage Council, which will guide us to make an informed selection," said Ms. Roy.
Cardinal Gérald Cyprien believes that churches "remain living places where the baptized gather to celebrate their faith".
Josée Grandmont, the chair of the Religious Heritage Council, is very supportive of this. "Every village has its church, we are talking about secularism, but people know that a church is also a gathering place, it's a bit of Quebec's identity heritage," she said.
In fact, over the past decade, Quebec has lost hundreds of religious buildings.
The Religious Heritage Council has applied for $ 40 million in funding. He must still find 20 million and relies on parishes, foundations or communities.
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