Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
Encyclopedia
The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center was established to house a Roman Catholic museum
and think tank
in Washington, D.C.
The concept for the center began at a meeting between Pope John Paul II
and then-Bishop Adam Maida in 1988. The 130000 square feet (12,077.4 m²) building is set on 12 acres (4.9 ha) adjacent to The Catholic University of America
and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
. The center was opened to the public in a ceremony in March 2001, attended by President George W. Bush
, several cardinals, members of Congress and other dignitaries.
The Center's original purpose was to explore the intersection of faith and culture through interactive displays, academic discussion and research, and museum exhibits. The academic discussions and special events reportedly have been successful. However, the center could not overcome optimistic attendance and financial projections that were based upon anticipated paid admissions. The new center was affected by a downturn in visitors following the 9/11 attack in the Washington, DC region just six months after opening and then an economic recession. The building eventually was open by appointment only and put up for sale.
Pope Benedict XVI
met with about 200 representatives of Islam
, Jainism
, Buddhism
, Hinduism
and Judaism
at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center on April 17, 2008.
Carl Anderson
, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus
, announced on August 2, 2011 plans to purchase the Cultural Center. The intent is to "create a shrine and museum honoring the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II.". The news was welcomed by Rev. Steven Boguslawski, O.P., executive director of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Foundation, which owns the building. He said the purchase would "bring a new vibrancy" to the building and that the papal memorabilia owned by the Foundation would continue to be displayed in an expanded exhibit managed by the new owner.
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
and think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The concept for the center began at a meeting between Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
and then-Bishop Adam Maida in 1988. The 130000 square feet (12,077.4 m²) building is set on 12 acres (4.9 ha) adjacent to The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a prominent Latin Rite Catholic basilica located in Washington, D.C., honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of the United States...
. The center was opened to the public in a ceremony in March 2001, attended by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, several cardinals, members of Congress and other dignitaries.
The Center's original purpose was to explore the intersection of faith and culture through interactive displays, academic discussion and research, and museum exhibits. The academic discussions and special events reportedly have been successful. However, the center could not overcome optimistic attendance and financial projections that were based upon anticipated paid admissions. The new center was affected by a downturn in visitors following the 9/11 attack in the Washington, DC region just six months after opening and then an economic recession. The building eventually was open by appointment only and put up for sale.
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
met with about 200 representatives of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
, Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
and Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center on April 17, 2008.
Carl Anderson
Carl A. Anderson
Carl Albert Anderson, KSG is the thirteenth and current Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Anderson is vice president of the Washington session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family....
, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
, announced on August 2, 2011 plans to purchase the Cultural Center. The intent is to "create a shrine and museum honoring the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II.". The news was welcomed by Rev. Steven Boguslawski, O.P., executive director of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Foundation, which owns the building. He said the purchase would "bring a new vibrancy" to the building and that the papal memorabilia owned by the Foundation would continue to be displayed in an expanded exhibit managed by the new owner.
External links
- Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
- "Knights of Columbus to purchase Pope John Paul II center" National Catholic ReporterNational Catholic ReporterThe National Catholic Reporter is the second largest Catholic newspaper in the United States; its circulation reaches ninety-seven countries on six continents. Based in midtown Kansas City, Missouri, NCR was founded by Robert Hoyt in 1964 as an independent newspaper focusing on the Catholic Church...
(August 3, 2011) - "Knights of Columbus to Take Over JPII Center in Washington" National Catholic RegisterNational Catholic RegisterNot to be confused with the National Catholic Reporter or the Catholic RegisterThe National Catholic Register is the oldest national Catholic newspaper in the United States. It was founded on 8 November 1927 by Msgr. Matthew J...
(August 14, 2011) - "D.C. Papal Museum Struggles For Financial Foothold, Focus: 5-Year-Old Catholic Center Facing Debt, Low Attendance" Washington Post (February 12, 2006)
- "Papal center’s spiral costly" Detroit Free PressDetroit Free PressThe Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
(March 16, 2006) - "Papal center problems" Detroit Free PressDetroit Free PressThe Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
(March 16, 2006) - "Of Business Practices and accountability" National Catholic ReporterNational Catholic ReporterThe National Catholic Reporter is the second largest Catholic newspaper in the United States; its circulation reaches ninety-seven countries on six continents. Based in midtown Kansas City, Missouri, NCR was founded by Robert Hoyt in 1964 as an independent newspaper focusing on the Catholic Church...
(March 3, 2006) - "How can Maida salvage his $75 million gamble?" Detroit Free PressDetroit Free PressThe Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
(February 25, 2006) - "DC Catholic center falling shy of vision" Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
(February 20, 2006) - "Detroit archdiocese investment goes sour" Detroit News (February 19, 2006)
- "Maida says JPII Center received $40 million from Detroit" National Catholic ReporterNational Catholic ReporterThe National Catholic Reporter is the second largest Catholic newspaper in the United States; its circulation reaches ninety-seven countries on six continents. Based in midtown Kansas City, Missouri, NCR was founded by Robert Hoyt in 1964 as an independent newspaper focusing on the Catholic Church...
(February 17, 2006) - "Maida letter details DC site debt" Detroit Free PressDetroit Free PressThe Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
(February 4, 2006) - "Financially strapped Archdiocese subsidizes troubled Center" National Catholic ReporterNational Catholic ReporterThe National Catholic Reporter is the second largest Catholic newspaper in the United States; its circulation reaches ninety-seven countries on six continents. Based in midtown Kansas City, Missouri, NCR was founded by Robert Hoyt in 1964 as an independent newspaper focusing on the Catholic Church...
(February 10, 2006)