Monday, August 16, 2010

Church at Center of Ground Zero Controversy

Rebuild the church....First!

Nine years after 911, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero remains to be rebuilt. Brother, can you spare a little fast-tracking?


So, New York big-shots can fast track a Muslim mosque near the site of the attacks on New York and the destruction of the WTC and the little Greek Orthodox church that was crushed when the South Tower fell but in all this time they can’t seem to find the wherewithal to allow this little house of worship that served not only the Greek community but welcomed anyone who felt the need to find a little peace and solitude amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

More about the delays and red tape plague the rebuilding of St. Nicholas.

From Church’s Troubles Typify Ground Zero Delays:

The story of the tiny St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and its efforts to rebuild after the collapse of the World Trade Center is one of well-intentioned promises that led to endless negotiations, design disputes, delays and mounting costs.

In addition, Charles V. Bagli, the reporter on the NY Times story above, points out: “The church has for several years wanted to build the new St. Nicholas a block northeast of its original home on Cedar Street. But doing so would require trading land with the Port Authority, and an agreement has proven elusive.”

Disgusting.

From here.

Speaking to Fox News former New York Gov. George Pataki, said, "I don't understand it," Pataki said. "Why the Port Authority now has so far put roadblocks in the way of its reconstruction is beyond me. It's not the right thing to do."

Read more here.

4 comments:

Steve Hayes said...

So I gather that "someone" took the church's land, and gave it to someone else who wants to build a mosque on it?

But just who is that someone?

And what authority do they have to do these things?

Alice C. Linsley said...

The President had a meeting with the King of Saudi Arabia at the White House in June. This meeting received little coverage by US media, but the Israelis noticed. See this:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138312

Fr. Peter said...

I agree that the Church needs to be rebuilt but this headline is so over the top. First off no one is taking the land they are offering up to $20 million for it and it is not for the Mosque. Why do people have to exagerate to make a point. Just state the facts and do not embelish. Here is a link to a news story about the entire thing.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/17/ground-zero-church-archdiocese-says-officials-forgot/

However the headline did bring me to your blog, so thats a good thing.

Alice C. Linsley said...

Father, Bless!

I apologize for the headline. Not one of my best, but I'm glad you found my blog. If you could suggest a better headline I'd gladly change this one. : )